Petrol and diesel motorists have been told to "avoid" two things to cut fuel bills as prices remain high this spring. Specialists at GreenFlag have warned road users that harsh braking and sudden acceleration can massively backfire for those desperate to save costs.

Driving a car at the limit will make the engine work significantly harder, burning up fuel much faster. It is believed that more sensible driving can reduce fuel mileage by as much as 40%.

Damon Jowett, director of customer, roadside & network services, at GreenFlag stressed that drivers desperate to reduce consumption needed to think about how they approach the road.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Damon said: "Smart driving is about looking ahead and anticipating what is coming next. By responding early to changes in traffic, drivers can avoid harsh braking and sudden acceleration, which may increase fuel use and put extra strain on the car.

"Driving smoothly also helps reduce excessive stopstart conditions, which can place additional pressure on components such as batteries, starters and brakes. Where possible, planning journeys to avoid the busiest periods, or leaving slightly earlier or later, can result in smoother, less demanding drives."

Petrol and diesel fuel costs have soared in recent weeks as disruption in the Middle East has led to a hike in global oil costs. According to RAC Fuel Watch, unleaded petrol now sits at 25.2p per litre higher than at the end of February, with diesel costs 44.3p more than just a few months ago.

And price hikes may not end there, with the RAC warning that unleaded petrol was still "likely to rise" in another blow to road users. The AA has also previously warned that aggressive driving could come back to bite motorists.

They said: "One of the main ways to drain your tank and bank balance is through continuous harsh braking. By creating more space and reading the road ahead, drivers can avoid unnecessary braking and stops"

The AA added: "By taking your foot off the accelerator and maintaining a steady speed, drivers can still enjoy their long weekend and save some money. Reducing your speed by around 10% improves fuel efficiency as well as keeping up with the flow of traffic."