If you’ve ever filled up your gas tank in the Garden State, then you probably already know something that many Americans don’t: in New Jersey, you can never pump your own gas. Regardless of where you’re traveling in the state, from Camden to Cape May, an attendant will always come out and fill your tank.
Only two states in the United States currently have laws prohibiting self-service gas stations: Oregon and New Jersey. New Jersey’s ban on self-service gas stations was implemented more than 70 years ago; it’s still one of the most recognized laws New Jersey residents face daily.
Why does New Jersey still employ gas attendants? It’s due to a combination of safety-related issues, historical precedent, and current debates regarding convenience vs. job creation.
A safety law created in response to post-WWII gas-related dangers
After World War II, state officials in New Jersey enacted a ban on self-service gas stations. As of the mid-20th century, state lawmakers believed that the primary danger of gasoline (i.e., its high flammability) necessitated the need for trained attendants to handle fuel for motorists. Trained attendants would be able to mitigate the possibility of fires, spills, etc. associated with gasoline handling.
In subsequent decades, gas pumps became significantly safer through technological advancements such as improved automatic shut-off nozzles and construction regulations. Despite increased safety and advancements in gas pump technology, the law banning self-service remained in effect while other states began allowing self-service.
Employment and convenience
Many supporters of retaining this law cite job and service-related advantages. Full-service gas stations provide employment opportunities for individuals, including seniors and people with disabilities who may have difficulty finding employment elsewhere.
Full service at the pump is also seen as a convenient option for motorists. Motorists do not have to exit their automobiles to pump gas in inclement weather, nor do they have to wrestle with the weight of heavy gas nozzles. For many New Jersey residents, especially older adults and individuals with disabilities, the benefits of having someone else pump gas for them are both functional and a viable alternative to the burden of doing it themselves.
Labor unions and politicians have advocated preserving the law, arguing that it would result in job losses for workers who rely on those positions.
Criticism of the law and calls for change.
While many agree with the law’s employment aspect, others believe it no longer serves its original purpose and should be revised. Critics of the law argue that allowing motorists to pump their own gas would result in lower fuel prices, fewer pump delays, and faster service for travelers during peak hours. Critics also argue that many other states are successfully implementing self-service and that, with modern equipment, the hazards associated with gasoline are greatly diminished compared to the past.
In recent years, several lawmakers have introduced legislation to modify the law, but proposals to allow self-service at smaller stations or during off-peak hours have failed to gain sufficient legislative support to amend the law. Some critics of the law argue that New Jersey motorists should have access to the same options provided to motorists in other states, particularly when gas prices continue to rise and commuters increasingly spend extended periods of time on the road.
Safety data and modern standards
Regardless of whether a gas station offers self-service or full-service, gas stations across the U.S. adhere to strict fire safety codes. Automatic shut-off nozzles and other safety features have been mandated for decades. National fire safety agencies have found no empirical evidence that self-service stations, when properly equipped and operated, pose a greater hazard than full-service stations.
Despite the lack of evidence that properly designed self-service stations are more hazardous than full-service stations, state officials in New Jersey have historically maintained that the law remains in effect to protect the public and to eliminate any perceived risk, no matter how remote.
Possible future developments
Advances in technology could lead to changes in the law as the way we power our vehicles continues to evolve. Ideas such as electric vehicle charging, mobile payment options, and automated fueling systems could potentially affect how energy is delivered to vehicles.
For the present, however, New Jersey drivers will continue to see the same familiar faces at the pump. Whether you are traveling north or south in the state, someone will fill your tank, check your oil if necessary, and hand you your receipt.
This tradition has endured through multiple generations of technological and societal change; for many New Jerseyans, it is simply another example of what makes “life” in the Garden State so unique.