Check your fuel! Why? Has it suddenly turned into treacle?

I just don't get it. The past couple of Sunday's I've driven up to Durham to play octopush with Durham University University Octopush Club, partly to lend them York Uni's kit, and also because the pool York Uni uses is closed at the moment.

Anyway, both time, in both directions between Scotch Corner and Durham on the A1, there are two or three of these matrix signs parked up in the laybys used by police patrol cars, and at least one overhead gantry with a matrix sign, all saying "Check your fuel". OK, coupled with the other messages you get on the gantries from time to time ("don't drive tired"; "don't drink and drive"; "keep your distance"; "watch your speed" etc), one saying "check your fuel" doesn't seem amiss. It's just that someone's gone to the effort of towing these portable matrix signs, seemingly just to display this one message. It's not even as it they are a couple of miles before a set of services, where you could stop for more fuel.

So, are drivers on the A1 north of Scotch Corner more stupid that other drivers that they need reminding to check they've got enough fuel? Or is my assumption that it means "check you have enough fuel" wrong, and that once you get past Scotch Corner it turns into treacle if you don't check it enough?

Answers on a postcard please...