Driving off with the nozzle
- Thread starter Chris142
- Start date
Ok, as soon as I saw this thread title, I was taken back in time when this story happened here in STL.
www.riverfronttimes.com
Incredible Dumbass Turns Lamborghini into Fireball at St. Louis Gas Station
If you're one of those folks who gets full-body shivers when they see a beautiful car smashed or burnt to cinders, then we're sorry: This...
Happens all the time. The hoses have a quick-disconnect at the top of the pump for that very reason. I've only seen it a handful of times, but oddly enough, only one person was paying enough attention (or brave enough, I suppose) to stop and tell someone.
Does it? I've only seen it once in 40 years of driving all over the USA.
The one time I saw this was just a few months ago. A fellow walked into the convenience store with the fuel pump running, when he came out he got in his van and started the engine. I ran over yelling and waving my arms and saved a guy from the consequences of his own stupidity.
Yep. Worked at a gas station for a summer in high school years ago. It happened a lot more often than I would've expected.
Good luck with that $5 sticker being enforced. They can ask however collecting is another matter thru civil courts.
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No wonder some states require an employee pump the fuel. New Jersey being one of them.
With cameras at most gas stations it might be a lot easier. But doesn't it also damage the vehicle?
I'd be surprised if the driver's insurance didn't pay without going to court. Especially if the incident is caught on video.
I watched it happen, the nozzle seems to break off with out any damage to car.
All the pumps around here have the break away fitting on them. I have never seen it happen but I have seen one missing the hose from the aftermath.
Which is why I avoid buying gas in that state, if at all possible. I’m there often, and it turns a five minute gas stop into something much longer, and more inconvenient.
Employees aren’t available when you pull up. Or they start the pump, then disappear for a while, and you’re left just waiting for them to come back. What a pain.
I buy gas in Delaware, or Connecticut, and have the range to bypass NJ without issue. Even when gas was cheaper in NJ (which is no longer true) I would fill up in another state.
When I drive to Newark, I would fill up before NJ. Go to work. Leave, and fill up on the Eastern Shore on my way home. Too many bad experiences at NJ gas stations.
I was pumping gas into my car one day and heard a loud BANG. I looked up to see some idiot driving away from one of the other pumps with the nozzle still in his gas tank. I watched him drive out of the station and pull up to the curb across the street, get out of his car cursing like a sailor, and yank the nozzle out and toss it to the gutter. And then drive away.
I went inside the station and told the attendant who went out and retrieved the nozzle. I suspect that the customer sustained some body damage to his vehicle plus drove away with no gas cap which probably caused a CEL to come on in short order.
I went inside the station and told the attendant who went out and retrieved the nozzle. I suspect that the customer sustained some body damage to his vehicle plus drove away with no gas cap which probably caused a CEL to come on in short order.
It's a code requirement (International Fire Code), https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/I...fuel-dispensing-facilities-and-repair-garages
Also, the possibility of a vehicle striking the dispenser and knocking it over has been taken into account:
I’ve done this before admittedly. I was on my way home from working long hours. It was late and I was exhausted. I didn’t damaged anything though.
Some name calling going for this. Not really sure why. We are all human and make mistakes. Some people are quick to be judgmental of others. I guess those people must be perfect and completely beyond reproach. Probably never made a mistake in their life, right?
Some name calling going for this. Not really sure why. We are all human and make mistakes. Some people are quick to be judgmental of others. I guess those people must be perfect and completely beyond reproach. Probably never made a mistake in their life, right?
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Neighbor down the street drove through the back of their garage a few weeks back. See they found a contractor to repair the framing and lay the brick. It happens.
If I'm not mistaken, only 2 out of the 50 states require it. Pretty sure it's not for "safety" either.
Never in my life have a I seen it happen or the aftermath. I've seen pictures on social media, sure, but that doesn't mean it's common.
Some definitely act like they're perfect, they raised absolute perfect children, and so on....
I have a career where mistakes like that can result in disaster. For me and all those for whom I am responsible.
So, while I haven’t weighed in on this topic, let’s be careful about “making mistakes” being acceptable. Perhaps they are. Perhaps not.
Some mistakes have grave consequences. Driving off with the hose still in the car is dumb, but not of great consequence.
But you wouldn’t accept the excuses, “it was late, and I was tired”, or, “we are all human” if your surgeon made a mistake.
