http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/462665
I came across this article today, and it caught my eye, as I’m sure with soaring gas prices, this thought has come across almost everyone’s mind. Cases of leaving a gas station without paying has increased 40% in York Region this year compared to last year. This is happening at least once a day, ranging from as low as $50, and reaching as high as $90, and I would not be surprised if there were instances higher than $100. It has even gone so far that people have resorted to not only stealing gas from gas stations, but siphoning gas from other people’s cars as well.
Gas stations have cameras, although sometimes it is unable to pick up the suspect’s face, or
license plate making it almost impossible to track them down. As a result, many gas stations are considering installing pumps that require a customer to pay before pumping. The pump will not operate until the transaction has gone through and it will automatically shut off once the preset amount has been reached. (Also recommend is a locking gas cap for your own car)
I personally believe that this is a good idea and should be implemented by the gas companies as this will eliminate people leaving without paying, however, this may raise issues among the general public. Installing these pumps are labeling some as thieves before they even arrive at the pump. The effects of people leaving the pump without paying are passed on to the others in the community.
I am an honest person and always pay for my gas but I’m not able to judge how much gas I am going to put in my car. Who knows how far $15 dollars worth of gas is going to get you these days. What happens if I want a full tank and not sure how much it is? What if I think it will take $20, but $15 fills it up? Will the gas company refund my money?
What do you guys think about this solution? What else can be done to stop people from driving off without paying?
SS
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2 comments:
Wait. YOU PUMP GAS INTO YOUR CAR? That would require driving your car in the first place! =P HAHA KIDDING.
Wow, this blog really interested me. I live in york region and people not paying for their gas has increased to 40% is A LOT! I'm really quite surprised by the statistics on this. Siphoning gas from other people's car is just outrageous.
We've all gone that desperate for gas eh? I think it's a good idea to allow gas companies to make their customers pay for gas before they fill it up. The technicalities of it are not clear yet, but it should be done. Or maybe there should be a person facilitating when people are filling up their gas tanks. Either way, the ridiculous gas prices really do make it tempting for people to start stealing gas, though I don't agree that it is right.
I'm sure there are better ways of addressing this issue. Better camera system? Faciliators? Locks?
Wow.... I am completely shocked by this... NOT. My RCL (rez life coodrdinator) checked her car the other day and to her suprise couldn't open her tank. Someone had attempted to siphon gas from her car, but apparently had failed. This may seem like a petty story or even off tangent, but realistically a lot of ppl might be experiencing this because of this crazy gas hike! And wow, I think it should be like you said, and gas stations should get people to pay before filling up because it would be so simple just to fill and run. They could just take off their plates and BAM they got free gas! What kind of solutsions could there be?
-SW
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