For years there have been only two states that banned pumping your own gas — Oregon and New Jersey. Oregon is moving to change it and New Jersey may follow. The official reason the pols and the organization that represents independent gas station operators gave for this ban was safety. They would have you think New Jersey drivers are more stupid than the drivers in 48 states who pump their own. If it were that unsafe, we would be hearing about thousands killed every day in 48 states.
Now the truth is out. The people who run independent gas stations wanted to keep the large oil companies out of the part of the business that puts fuel in cars. Everyone believes in free competition until it comes to them then they want government protection.
Richard Newman of The Record of Bergen County writes that what started this “safety” campaign was a Route 17 gas station that offered two dozen pumps in the 1940s. He undercut the competition. Independent gas owners couldn’t take the competition so they ran to Trenton where pols outlawed pump your own and — as is their usual practice of avoiding the truth if it makes them look bad — said it was about safety.
New developments have an influence too in this change of heart, including scrutiny of gas station owners over wages by the U.S. Department of Labor. It has received back wages of $5.5 million for 1,100 gas station employees in New Jersey. In October of 2017 new credit card restrictions mean motorists can’t hand their card to an attendant any more. They will have to get out, swipe the card themselves and punch in a personal identification number. So even if an attendant else pumps, drivers still have to unbuckle and get out.
Many New jersey residents have never experienced pumping their own gas and it is frightening especially if they believe the BS about safety. With the new credit card rules they will have to get out anyway so that may have fewer objections. They may still not want to touch gas pumps. On the other side, there won’t be waiting for the lone attendant to take care of six cars in front of you.
Reporter Newman says two lawmakers, Sens. Gerald Cardinale and Paul Sarlo, have introduced legislation to end the ban. Now that the station owners aren’t afraid of the big oil companies, the safety issue has gone away. Just disappeared. That’s a good lesson in how pols and lobby groups operate.
For an update from Larry Higgs, go here.
Looks like Senate President Steve Sweeney likes things as they are. See it here.
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