DEL.ICIO.USMind your manners in the gas line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, September 29, 2008
No pun intended, but gasoline in metro Atlanta is at a premium.
Few stations have enough, forcing drivers to pass one empty station after another before finding one with gas — and a long line of short-tempered motorists leading up to it.
Joey Ivansco/jivansco@ajc.com
A Cadillac Escalade gets pushed to a pump Sunday after waiting in line for gas at the BP station at North Avenue and Spring Street in Atlanta. Tight supplies of gas meant difficulty finding stations with it and long waits at those that did.
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Civility for now remains intact on the gas lines — even at a Cherokee County gas station where drivers waited in muted fury this weekend as a Hummer stretch limo driver waited in line. But until gas supplies and deliveries return to normal, here are some suggestions for gas-line etiquette.
• Try to avoid routine maintenance, like checking your oil and washing your windshield, while getting gas. There are other people waiting, and patience is wearing thin.
• Don’t wait until you are a quarter tank or less to fuel up. Do it earlier to minimize the risk of running dry.
• Once you get in line, stay in line. That station may be the only one with gasoline in the area.
• If someone cuts in front of you, grit your teeth, swallow your fury and let it go. Gas is no reason for a confrontation.
• Be patient. There are cars ahead of you. You’ll get there.
• Use a credit or debit card to make your gas purchase. It’s faster.
• Avoid filling containers with gasoline. It’s hoarding. It’s dangerous.
• Be aware of your surroundings. There are cars trying to get to a pump from multiple directions. Avoid accidents.
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