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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Why can't I pump my own gas? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News When did the practice of drivers not being allowed to pump their own gas in Oregon start, and why did it come about? I myself don’t like to pump my own gas, but many people do prefer to do it. I was asked by a Californian and could not give them an answer, so perhaps you can. — Ruth D., Medford Based on your question, we’re assuming you and your Californian friend are fairly young. Once upon a time, gas station attendants filled the tank, even in California. One of our Since You Asked auto experts remembers filling up the tank and washing the windows when he had a job at a gas station while going to high school in Southern California. Ah, the good old days. In ancient times, people used to worry that motorists would blow up a gas station if they manned the pumps themselves. In 1951, Oregon mandated that only attendants with the proper training would be allowed to put flammable liquids into cars. The state statute lists 17 reasons why you can’t pump yourself, including preventing spills, helping older drivers who might have difficulty and protecting small children left in cars. And, Ruth, you might like to know that some economists estimate we’re paying anywhere from 3 to 5 cents extra for a gallon of gas because we don’t have self-serve stations. On the other hand, thousands are employed at Oregon stations. The Oregon House has unanimously passed a bill that would allow station in counties with fewer than 40,000 residents to keep self-pay pumps turned on when no owner, operator or employee is around to dispense gasoline. As far as we can tell, Ruth, only Oregon and New Jersey ban self-serve gas stations. By the way, if you want to pump your own gas in Oregon, head up to Canyonville. The Seven Feathers Casino gas station lets you fill 'er up because it is on Native American land. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501