CT Lawmaker Wants To Fine You $250 For Talking While Pumping Gas

[matcom]

<snip>

HARTFORD, Conn. -- You can't talk and drive in some areas. Now, one Connecticut lawmaker wants to make it illegal to talk and pump.

State Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, wants drivers to hang-up their cell phones when they fill up their cars. She said warnings on gas pumps say using a cell phone could cause an electrical discharge that might ignite gas fumes. However, Stillman said there are no penalties.

The legislature's Judiciary Committee heard testimony Monday on her bill that would impose a $250 fine on people who use their cellular phones while pumping gas.

"People just do not pay attention to the notices that are displayed for their protection and of course we sometimes believe that these dangerous events cannot possible happen," Stillman said. She acknowledged the fine might be difficult to enforce, but it could be a deterrent.

http://www.wftv.com/automotive/4262897/detail.html

[slackmaster]

1. The survey is pretty funny

A large majority of respondants report that they "never" use a cell phone while pumping gas.

:freak:

[sniffa]

2. urban Legend spawned LegisLation

http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp

[Drifter]

6. Yep ...

that is partially true. Cell phones are not the cause.

It is static electricity that can ignite the fumes from the tank. They advise to not get into your car when you are pumping gas (which may be done if you are talking on the phone). This tends to build up static elctricity. When you return to the tank, if you discharge too close to the tank, you may ignite the fumes.

Cheers
Drifter

[NoPasaran]

3. Has there ever been a documented case

Of a cell phone emitting sparks and causing an explosion? I'd be happy if they could just get people to stop SMOKING while they're pumping gas>

[sniffa]

5. see post #2

according to snopes, no.

[bleedingheart]

4. There are morons in PA who keep the engine running while

pumping gas...good luck getting them to stop yakking...

[LizW]

7. I saw a news report about

those plastic pickup truck bed-liner things causing static sparks that have caused explosions. The report warned that you should never set a gas can in the bed of the pickup on one of those liners to fill it.

But the warning on the pump says "fill containers on the ground." It doesn't say, "Plastic truck bed liners can cause explosions." If I hadn't seen that report, I would have no idea why they were saying I should fill a container on the ground.

My car makes a huge amount of static electricity, and I have to admit I'm careful to discharge the spark before I take the gas cap off. Am I being overly cautious?

[johnnie]

8. First they ban smoking at the pumps

And now this..what is this country coming to?

[Redstone]

10. It's one thing after another, isn't it?

Next they'll pass a law that says you can't use a match for illumination when you're checking the level of fuel in a gas can!

Redstone

[baldguy]

9. Can't we fine people for just using cell phones and be done with it?

People who do that annoy the hell out of me.

[ucmike]

11. isn't engulfing yourself in a fireball punishment enough?

what kind of state allows you to pump your own gas anyway? i live in NJ and never get out of my car at a gas station. geez, the rest of this country is so uncivilized.

[Schema Thing]

12. Not just no....

... but HELL no! :evilgrin: