# Oregon people aren't smart enough to pump gas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 7, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059 "2003-04-07T14:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mcbiggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@mcbiggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcbiggins)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/21 "2003-04-07T21:39:22Z")
And remember, Oregon was the worst unemployment in the nation. Keeping all of the stations full-service certainly helps create jobs. Crappy jobs, yes, but jobs nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/22 "2003-04-07T21:59:57Z")
One thing that hasn’t been brought up yet is the problem faced by owners of OBDII (mostly 96 and later) equipped cars in Oregon and NJ. If the cretin working the pumps doesn’t get the gas cap on correctly the check engine light will come on. This requires a visit to the repair shop to find out that the gas station employs mellon heads. so either the owner of the car has to get out to double check the pump jockey work, or pay roulette and hope the job was done correctly. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/23 "2003-04-07T22:07:59Z")
Kniz, there’s a charge for in-state visitors as well. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/24 "2003-04-07T22:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jacquilynne \* > \*\*I am not trying to be obnoxious or insensitive, but could someone explain to me which class of disabled people can drive but cannot pump gas? I’m honestly baffled by this. > > I’ve seen people in wheelchairs pumping gas, and while I imagine that was a significantly greater effort for them, it was doable. I suspect the ‘pay at the pump’ buttons are outside their reach, but at most stations I’ve encountered, the buttons necessary to select fuel grade, etc, would be reachable from a chair, and then they could pay at the counter (the height of which problably presents as much of a barrier as anything else in the process). > > For people with other motor difficulties such that handling the nozzle/hose is a difficulty, I would think handling the steering wheel would be even more difficult yet. \*\* I use a wheelchair and pump my own gas. It’s a pain but luckily I don’t need to do it often. There was one station in town that was full serve and I would go out of my way (and pay more) to go there, but now it’s gone. I find the self-serve stations that say they’ll pump for disabled people to be useless. I don’t know how I’m supposed to attract the attendant’s attention. Honk the horn, flash my lights, and wave my parking placard out the window? If they’re busy how do they acknowledge they’ve seen me and will come when they can? It’s easier to get out than deal with the communication problems and embarassment. I think if I drove a van where the ramp was on the same side as the gas cap it would be tough to get out and still be close enough to fuel though. ---
**Author:** ![mahatmacoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@mahatmacoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mahatmacoat)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/25 "2003-04-07T22:59:30Z")
O.K, People like drive-thru food, bank, drug stores, doughnuts and whatever, but they can’t see the convenience of drive-thru gas??? What kind of morons are you? I give a pass to the anal types who don’t want any one else touching their car-- but I can’t see the reason in the other arguments. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/26 "2003-04-07T23:04:12Z")
In response to the person who said > [@](#): > > For people with other motor difficulties such that handling the nozzle/hose is a difficulty, I would think handling the steering wheel would be even more difficult yet. I’m not disabled, and I drive just fine, but I hate to pump gas. When I’m out of NJ and have to do that, I have a problem. First, the handle is always dirty and when I’m done my hands smell like gas even if I didn’t spill any. Not to mention the gas that’s already on the ground from other people spilling gas, which of course gets on my shoes. In addition, the hose is dirty and greasy as well, and I usually end up brushing it against my clothes at least once. Fortunately, when I have to pump gas I am on vacation, but don’t people in the no-service states arrive at work smelling like a refinery on the days their cars need refilling? And to top it off, I am a real klutz. I drop things all the time. If I drop a plate or glass at home, I just clean it up, but if I mishandle the gas pump there is fuel all over everything. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/27 "2003-04-07T23:18:02Z")
I got worried when, driving through Maine on the way to Boston (and close to Kennebunkport, no less), I checked my tire pressure. It was fine. The worrisome part was what the (adult) clerk said to me: “Wow, you check your own pressure? I’ve never seen anyone do that before! You sure take good care of your car!” ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/28 "2003-04-07T23:50:53Z")
> [@](#): > > As close to NYC as Newburgh, NY (and closer), there are stations where you pump first and THEN pay - maybe these are common elsewhere, but these just blow my ‘Long Island thought process’ mind (as in how does the station manager prevent ‘Free Gas for Everyone, Kiddies! - Just don’t get caught’). I refuse to go to stations that have that pay first bullshit. How the hell am I supposed to know exactly how much gas it will take? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/29 "2003-04-08T00:09:48Z")
\*\* mblackwell \*\* Just a suggestion here. Don’t ever drive into Southern California it will be an awfully long push from the time you run out of gas, until you get to a station that does not require payment up front. If you are using cash you give them more that what you think it will take to fill your car. When done go get your change. If using credit, either pay at the pump or give card to guy behind counter. When done either collect recipt from pump (PAP) or go inside to get recipt. ---
**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/30 "2003-04-08T00:28:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MLS \*\*\* > I’m not disabled, and I drive just fine, but I hate to pump gas. When I’m out of NJ and have to do that, I have a problem. > \*\* I’m pretty sure that people who hate to pump gas are not a protected class under the Americans With Disability Act, which is rather more what I was inquiring about. I’m not interested in hearing about people who can drive and prefer not to pump their own gas (I’m guessing if it weren’t for price differentials, that would be most of us), I’m interested in hearing about people who can drive and yet can not, due to their disability, pump their own gas. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/31 "2003-04-08T01:08:47Z")
**Marine\_One** , here are the Legislative findings and declarations for Oregon Title 38, Section 480.315. IOW, this is Oregon’s official explanation of why you aren’t allowed to pump your own gas: > [@](#): > > The Legislative Assembly declares that, except as provided in ORS 480.345 to 480.385, it is in the public interest to maintain a prohibition on the self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids at retail. The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that: > > (1) The dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by dispensers properly trained in appropriate safety procedures reduces fire hazards directly associated with the dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids; > > (2) Appropriate safety standards often are unenforceable at retail self- service stations in other states because cashiers are often unable to maintain a clear view of and give undivided attention to the dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by customers; > > (3) Higher liability insurance rates charged to retail self-service stations reflect the dangers posed to customers when they leave their vehicles to dispense Class 1 flammable liquids, such as the increased risk of crime and the increased risk of personal injury resulting from slipping on slick surfaces; > > (4) The dangers of crime and slick surfaces described in subsection (3) of this section are enhanced because Oregon’s weather is uniquely adverse, causing wet pavement and reduced visibility; > > (5) The dangers described in subsection (3) of this section are heightened when the customer is a senior citizen or is disabled, especially if the customer uses a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, walker, cane or crutches; > > (6) Attempts by other states to require the providing of aid to senior citizens and the disabled in the self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids at retail have failed, and therefore, senior citizens and the disabled must pay the higher costs of full service; > > (7) Exposure to toxic fumes represents a health hazard to customers dispensing Class 1 flammable liquids; > > (8) The hazard described in subsection (7) of this section is heightened when the customer is pregnant; > > (9) The exposure to Class 1 flammable liquids through dispensing should, in general, be limited to as few individuals as possible, such as gasoline station owners and their employees or other trained and certified dispensers; > > (10) The typical practice of charging significantly higher prices for full- service fuel dispensing in states where self-service is permitted at retail: > (a) Discriminates against customers with lower incomes, who are under greater economic pressure to subject themselves to the inconvenience and hazards of self-service; > (b) Discriminates against customers who are elderly or handicapped who are unable to serve themselves and so must pay the significantly higher prices; and > © Increases self-service dispensing and thereby decreases maintenance checks by attendants, which results in neglect of maintenance, endangering both the customer and other motorists and resulting in unnecessary and costly repairs; > > (11) The increased use of self-service at retail in other states has contributed to diminishing the availability of automotive repair facilities at gasoline stations; > > (12) Self-service dispensing at retail in other states does not provide a sustained reduction in fuel prices charged to customers; > > (13) A general prohibition of self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by the general public promotes public welfare by providing increased safety and convenience without causing economic harm to the public in general; > > (14) Self-service dispensing at retail contributes to unemployment, particularly among young people; > > (15) Self-service dispensing at retail presents a health hazard and unreasonable discomfort to the handicapped, to elderly persons, small children and those susceptible to respiratory diseases; > > (16) The federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336, requires that equal access be provided to disabled persons at retail gasoline stations; and > > (17) Small children left unattended when customers leave to make payment at retail self-service stations creates a dangerous situation. ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/32 "2003-04-08T01:16:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MLS \* > \*\*I hate driving in other states. Do people in other states LIKE having their hands and clothing smell like gasoline? Why should every driver have to deal with the messiness of gas-pumping as opposed to a few people with appropriate clothing? > > We’re just “smart enough” to stay in our nice comfy cars and keep our hands & shoes clean. \*\* Apparently you New Jersians are a bunch of slobs if you manage to spill gasoline all over your clothes and hands when pumping gas, 'cause I’ve never done it in the 20+ years that I’ve been pumping my own gas.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![raisinbread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8491ac/32.png) [@raisinbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raisinbread)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/33 "2003-04-08T01:27:53Z")
Mister **[color=“black”]Payton’s Servant**, people from New Jersey have not been given the opportunity to know the unmitigated joys of pumping one’s own gas therefore they never have had the opportunity to spill gasoline all over their person. IHBT, IHL, HAND. An amusing aside, the first time I drove long distance outside of New Jersey I pulled off to a nearby gas station in Virginia and sat in the car for three minutes before I realized that it was self-serve. It’s not that hard and a minor inconvenience to pump one’s own gas. Plus you never get any of those annoying, probing questions like “Why do you need five containers full of gasoline and what’s that noise coming from your trunk” when you pump your own.[/color] ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/34 "2003-04-08T03:05:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Payton’s Servant \* > \*\*Apparently you New Jersians are a bunch of slobs if you manage to spill gasoline all over your clothes and hands when pumping gas, 'cause I’ve never done it in the 20+ years that I’ve been pumping my own gas.:rolleyes: \*\* Well, gee, sorry about that. I guess you’re just special and better than the rest of us. How do you keep the gunk that’s already ON the pump (and the hose) from getting on your hands and clothes? By the way, it’s spelled “Jersey,” not “Jersi.” ---
**Author:** ![hermann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b487fb/32.png) [@hermann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermann)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/35 "2003-04-08T03:09:31Z")
After reading the “reasons” for having the law, I see that Oregon doesn’t want “customers” to slip on wet pavement or inhale the gasoline fumes…but it’s perfectly ok for employees to?? Sounds kind of silly to include those items as “reasons” for having the law. And since another “reason” is that it’s dangerous for pregnant women, does that mean pregnant women aren’t allowed to work at gas stations? ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/36 "2003-04-08T03:20:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MLS \* > \*\*I’m not in Oregon, but we have a similar law in New Jersey. I think it’s a wonderful idea. I hate driving in other states. Do people in other states LIKE having their hands and clothing smell like gasoline? Why should every driver have to deal with the messiness of gas-pumping as opposed to a few people with appropriate clothing? > \*\* It’s not rocket science, for god’s sake, it’s pumping gas. You put the nozzle in the gas tank, and you pull the appropriate trigger. Most gas stations are covered(around here, anyway), and it’s pretty easy not to spill gas if you are paying attention. That and I have a hard time paying people who don’t trust me enough to pump my own gas, so I make sure I have enough gas to get back to Washington whenever I cross the border. So far, I’ve been lucky enough never to have to buy gas “Oregon Style”. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/37 "2003-04-08T03:52:59Z")
I almost always pump my own gas. My hands remain clean. I don’t spill gas over my clothes. I don’t smell like a refinery when I’m done. It’s not a big deal. Remind me not to go to a buffet with you people, mmmkay? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/38 "2003-04-08T04:00:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MLS \* > \*\*How do you keep the gunk that’s already ON the pump (and the hose) from getting on your hands and clothes? \*\* What the hell is this _gunk that’s already ON the pump (and the hose)_ that you refer to? 😕 😕 I’ve never had to go and wash my hands because the pump or the hose was filthy. But perhaps you New Jerseyians do vile and unnatural things with your gas pumps.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/39 "2003-04-08T04:03:45Z")
I have a couple of serious questions, if we can rise above insults. Situation: Only self-serve available. No pay at the pump, or you need to pay cash. You have a baby asleep in the car. Do you leave the baby alone in the car? Or do you wake her up and carry her in with you? If the former, if it’s very hot outside, do you lock her in the car with the engine running and the a.c. on, or what? If the latter, what do you do if you have more than one small child? Carry them both? Or do you just have to be really careful not to be a woman alone with children and be low on gas? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059/40 "2003-04-08T04:19:03Z")
> [@](#): > > You have a baby asleep in the car. Do you leave the baby alone in the car? Or do you wake her up and carry her in with you? If the former, if it’s very hot outside, do you lock her in the car with the engine running and the a.c. on, or what? > If the latter, what do you do if you have more than one small child? Carry them both? However you work it out, if you leave the kids in the car while you pay, you are committing child abuse under Oregon law. Another fine reason for full-service stations! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-people-arent-smart-enough-to-pump-gas/167059.md?page=3)