| 
SELF-SERVE
AT GAS STATIONS
Lower Prices and Less Time For Refueling are Priorities
for Consumers
| Issue: |
Oregon is the only state in which WSPA member
companies market with outright restrictions on self-serve
at gas stations. |
What WSPA Says:
When self-service refueling conforms to nationally recognized
safety standards adopted by the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA-30, 1969, and later editions,) consumer
preferences should drive the mix of full and self-serve
without government intervention.
Background:
Only two states in the nation -- Oregon and New Jersey
-- currently have an outright prohibition on self-serve
gasoline sales. Their argument is twofold: first, that
the volatile nature of gasoline requires respect and
care when refueling; and second, there is an unfounded
fear of an unacceptable danger to the public if unskilled
consumers are able to dispense their own gas.
As previously stated, this fear is unfounded. In fact,
the insurance industry makes no distinction in risk
between self-service and full-serve outlets when assessing
the risk of all human activities. Moreover, self-service
is statistically safer by a substantial margin than
attendant-serve outlets.
Opposition to self-serve has come from a small percentage
of consumers, particularly older people and the disabled
who require full-service assistance. The industry recognizes
the legitimate concerns of these groups and is willing
to work to ensure the availability of full-service at
retail outlets. A complete ban on self-serve, on the
other hand, is unfair restraint of trade, ignores the
wants of the majority, and puts retailers in those locations
that ban self-serve at a disadvantage.
Key Points:
- National experience over many years shows that
safety is not a legitimate reason to ban self-service
at retail gasoline outlets.
- The prohibition of self-serve sale of gasoline
is discriminatory. Self serve flourishes in many types
of retail trade -- supermarkets, coffee houses, restaurants,
etc.
- State government bans on self-serve deprives
consumers of their freedom of choice and denies retailers
the ability to offer less costly services to the public.
- The needs of the elderly, disabled and those
consumers desiring or requiring full-serve must be
addressed in any legislation to remove restrictions
against self-serve.
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