Gas and Go. Or not.

gas-station.jpgThere's a gas-up game people on the East Coast play, when driving from New York to Washington, or vice versa. Can you make it to New Jersey with just fumes left, so that you're able to fill up the gas tank in Jersey? That's because New Jersey always has lower gas prices than either end point of that trip. But the weird thing is, the state won't let you fill up your tank yourself. It's full service or nuthin'.

I never knew why full service was the done thing, until I saw this story about Gov. Jon Corzine trying to change the ban on pumping your own gas that's been in place for 57 years. Turns out the 1949 law, which has resisted repeal efforts over the years, was passed out of concern about the impact on senior citizens and small retailers.

I don't get it. Why can't the law mandate at least someone be there to pump gas for elderly folks or whoever else wants it and let everyone else pump? And I don't understand the concern for small retailers on the full-service issue. Any guesses?

Corzine plans to ask the legislature to authorize a three-month trial for self-service stations in a few spots including the New Jersey Turnpike. He figures gas prices then can be reduced through "management efficiencies." I sure hope so. I've got a turnpike trip coming up soon. Don't ruin my game...