(April 15, 2011) Rising gas prices are definitely a concern in the U.S. And for truckers who are now facing diesel prices over $4 a gallon in virtually every corner of the country it has become a crisis.

But it could be worse. Much worse. You could live and work in the UK where the price of diesel rose to a new record high again this week.

“Relentless price rises are driving up the costs of everything we buy because it is impossible for haulers to absorb the cost increases, much as they are under pressure from customers to do so,” says Road Haulage Association (RHA) director of policy Jack Semple. “Short-sighted customers who refuse increases in the current climate are likely simply to drive their haulers out of business.”

The RHA Weekly Fuel Price Survey shows a national average price of 115.43 pence a liter (before VAT), up 0.50 pence from last week.

Translated that is 1.15 pounds a liter or in dollars, about $7.50 a gallon.

“Haulage is a competitive industry and fuel represents at least 35% of the cost of running a large lorry — often well over 40%,” Semple said. “Rising fuel prices not only have to be recovered through high haulage rates. The increases also hit cash flow, as diesel costs must be paid up-front but customers often take 60 to 90 days to pay invoices.

“It seems that worse may be to come, with OPEC predicting increasing demand for oil for most of the rest of 2011,” Semple added. “On top of that, it is clear from talk at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham this week that other costs, such as vehicles and tires, are also rising sharply.