pump your own gas?
2007-04-04 10:51:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Because in the 1920's people thought that it was dangerous to pump your own gas. Maybe it was.. anyway, They made a law against it, and the law has simply stayed on the books ever since.
FYI, to all the people trashing NJ, We have the highest average income in the entire US. Must be doing something right. And if you are also unaware, the entire southeastern portion of NJ is pine forrest. It's not all a scummy wasteland.
We also have The best town to live in of any town in the country. Moorestown NJ. Look it up. Haddonfield is a close second.
I didn't even grow up in NJ, I moved here after college from MA.
2007-04-04 10:53:58 · answer #1 · answered by Louis G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They enacted the law in 1949 because at the time, legislators felt it was too dangerous to have untrained people dispensing such a flammable liquid. The purpose of these laws was to protect consumers and gas station owners from costly, and possibly deadly, accidents. That may have been sensible at the time, but pumping gas is much safer today, and some motorists feel the ban is outdated and needs to go. Opponents of the law argue that removing it would lower the cost of gas and make refueling much quicker and more convenient. Proponents of the ban argue that it creates jobs and customers like full service. Whatever your position on the matter, next time you're in Jersey and need to refuel, take the opportunity to relax in the comfort of your car while the gas station attendant does the dirty work.
2007-04-04 17:57:03 · answer #2 · answered by Blessed and Happy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The New Jersey legislature wants you to believe that there are too many dangers associated with pumping your own gas. You might not stop in time, and you might spill gas everywhere. You might use your cell phone and ignite gas vapors.
IMHO, the real reason it's illegal in New Jersey is to create an artificial means of keeping gas station attendants employed.
2007-04-04 17:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are still places in New Jersey where you pump your own gas. A few blocks from my house there is a gas station that is like that...
2007-04-04 18:16:09 · answer #4 · answered by Kalikina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oregon also requires service stations to have employees to pump the gas rather than the car's owner. It's actually a nice change of pace to still find gas stations where you receive service rather than self serve.
2007-04-04 17:58:24 · answer #5 · answered by Sailinlove 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New Jersey Gasoline Retailers Association & Allied Trades represents 2,200 of the 3,800 gas stations in the state, and its influence in Trenton is often cited as the reason lawmakers have resisted self-service since the state banned the practice in 1949.
2007-04-04 17:56:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I HATE that law! It is such a pain in the @ss, I go to EXTREMES to make sure I have a full tank when I cross over the Jersey state line. I asked about it once and was told it was to prevent drive offs and for the driver's own saftey. How DUMB do they really think we are? This is why I DON'T live in New Jersey.
2007-04-04 17:55:58 · answer #7 · answered by Sara 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that although they DO allow self-pumping in Pennsylvania, most stations do not have trigger catches on the pump handles so you have to stand there getting a cramp in your hand and breath in all the fumes.
Mainly, there is NO good reason for it.
2007-04-04 17:56:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll bet there's a Gas Pumper's Union in Jersey.
2007-04-04 17:53:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The purpose of these laws was to protect consumers and gas station owners from costly, and possibly deadly, accidents.
2007-04-04 17:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by stayc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋