617
Oregon lifts ban on self-serve gas, leaving N.J. as the only state prohibiting it (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 3 years ago* by to c/news@lemmy.world
185 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

For the first time in more than seven decades, drivers in Oregon are allowed to pump their own gas.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 83 points 3 years ago (4 children)

There are some bizarre and pointless laws in this country.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 8 child comments
    •
  • [–] 17 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    The way I heard it, if the only people pumping gas were employees, the company didn't have to pay as much liability insurance.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 32 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Then why make it a law? Gas stations would all choose to have full service only if it was cheaper.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 37 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    It's a law specifically so that these jobs exist. It has nothing to do with liability insurance. Rather, one guy was able to lower his prices by having people pump their own gas and other gas stations didn't like that

    Reingold decided to offer the consumer a choice by opening up a 24-pump gas station on Route 17 in Hackensack. He offered gas at 18.9 cents a gallon. The only requirement was that drivers pump it themselves. They didn't mind. They lined up for blocks.

    "The other gas station operators didn't like the competition. Someone tried shooting up Reingold's station. But he installed bulletproof glass, so the retailers looked for a softer target - the Statehouse. The Gasoline Retailers Association prevailed upon its pals in the Legislature to push through a bill banning self-serve gas. The pretext was safety, but the Hackensack fire chief had already told all who would listen that Rein- gold's operation was perfectly safe.

    https://www.nj.com/opinion/2014/02/the_real_reason_self-service_gas_was_banned_in_nj_corruption_not_safety.html

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    You never went to Switzerland where the only noise you're allowed to do after 10 pm is pooping.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    Now I'm curious about the situation that lead to that to that exception being added and if there was a death involved where someone held it in until morning when they should have just gone right away.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    The legend says that you aren't allowed to flush the toilet after 10 pm. Actually, people must avoid making noise after 10pm by law. It's not here for fun.

    Switzerland has a reporting culture. People will report you to the police and/or your landlord if you're making too much noise after 10pm. Also, Sundays and holidays are by law a day of rest.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent