Last Fuel Bar

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by NJBob

And to support my claim. In NJ we are not allowed to fill our own tanks.

I'm still amazed and amused by this. New Jersey is the only state that has this law. Don't they realize how stupid it is? In every other state, 95% of gas stations don't even have attendants available unless you're handicapped.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I'm still amazed and amused by this. New Jersey is the only state that has this law. Don't they realize how stupid it is? In every other state, 95% of gas stations don't even have attendants available unless you're handicapped.

Never been to Oregon, have you? The same law there was passed in 1951 (New Jersey was first, in 1949. Allegedly there is also one town in MA where you cannot pump your own gas, but who really cares about one town in MA?).

Anyhow, the law in Oregon was supported by a whopping 17 declarations rationalizing the prohibition of “any person other than the owner, operator or employee [of a dispensary where class 1 flammable liquids are dispensed at retail]” from using “pump, hose, pipe or other device for dispensing the liquids into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle or other retail container.” Violating this law will get you slapped with a $500 fine.

Of course, way back then most gas stations were full-service...as the first self-service station only opened in California in 1947.

Both laws have been challenged in court, and Oregon motorcyclists won a small victory in 2001 when a law was passed allowing them option of fueling their own bikes; but for motorists the law still applies.

There is your history lesson--and fun factoids to share with friends--for the day!

Cheers! M2