It's time for smart New Jersey people to act

There are only two states in the country where it is illegal for you to pump gas to your own vehicle.

Oregon and NEW JERSEY

Only gas station owners or employees can pump gas in your vehicle. In 1949, New Jersey passed the law restricting customers from this because it was assumed that it would be too dangerous having untrained people dispensing such a flammable liquid. This was the ORIGINAL INTENT of the legislation.

Why does the law need to go? Honestly, the time it takes for a gas station attendant to pump your gas at a busy station takes precious time from the motorist. One gas station I visited had the ability to support fueling for 12 vehicles, but it only had two attendants. It is time to be sensible and let convenience triumph over inefficiency. It is also surprising to note that this statute has stood up to several challenges.

For some reasons, proponents believe the ban create jobs and customers like full service. They rather believe that customers would like to stay in the comfort of their vehicle while the gas station attendant does the dirty work.

First, you can have customers that prefer full-service but you will have customers that prefer the ability to pump their gas quickly and get out of there as fast as possible.

Second, it defeats the purpose of "Speedpass" used at Exxonmobil gas stations where the customer can just wave their speedpass device at a scanner at the pump, and it would deduct the payment from the customer's account. Plus, the ability to pay by credit card right at the pump without going inside the gas station store to pay for it.

Bill Dressler, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline Retailers Association, is an adamant opponent of self-serve. He reasoned that NJ had the "foresight" to see the dangers of inexperienced motorists trying to operate fuel pumps. He even contends that motorists not only pay less for gas, but are spared the "inconvenience of getting out in all kinds of weather."

I did not believe that New Jersey folks are "cowards" in the face of snow, rain, sleet, or cats and dogs falling out of the sky. I like to self-serve my vehicle, thank you very much.

Other arguments about customers not knowing how to top-off their vehicle, not wanting to get the smell of gasoline on your hands, the time it takes to go to the conveience store and pay for your gas purchase are all moot. When was the last time an explosion at a NJ gas station was attributed to a topping-off spill? Can the smell really be a turn-off? Plus, we got pay-at-your-pump technology or is NJ really that backward?

In Oregon, the other state that does not allow self-service, Steve O'Toole, executive director of the Oregon Petroleum Marketers Association, stated "in certain states people just want to do things certain ways."

In May, Governor Jon S. Corzine attempted to put forth a proposal to bring self-service gasoline pumping to the NJ Turnpike and at some local stations. His office received 1,400 calls and e-mails of complaints against the measure. Lawmakers said they were not convinced that self-service was a good idea. Senior and disabled citizens would complain about it. So what about everybody else?!?!?!

I am completely fine with full-service but I want the choice of being able to pump my own gas. This is common sense. Stop DENYING my right to fill my gas tank!