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Gas Station Drive-Offs Rise With Prices

Reuters
Posted: 2008-06-25 13:33:38
Filed Under: Crude Oil Prices
NEW YORK (April 25) - U.S. motorists, angered by soaring gasoline prices, are resorting increasingly to theft -- a trend that could worsen heading into summer driving season, a national association of fuel retailers said Thursday.

Photo Gallery

Al Behrman, AP

Gasoline Prices
Drive Up Drive-Offs

1 of 3    

A national association of fuel retailers says they're dealing with an increasing number of drive-offs -- drivers gassing up and then speeding off without paying -- as unprecedented gas prices climb further almost daily.


"It is getting bad. When the price of gasoline goes up, the number of drive-offs goes up," said Dan Gilligan, president of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, which represents about 8,000 retailers.

Drive-off means a motorist pulls up to a gas station's pump, fills the car's tank, and then speeds off without paying for the fuel.

U.S. gasoline prices struck a record $3.56 per gallon on average Thursday, bringing them more than 24 percent higher than a year ago amid a surge in the cost of crude oil, according to travel group AAA's daily survey of up to 100,000 service stations.

Energy experts have said gasoline could top $4 a gallon in many parts of the country heading into summer, when demand for the fuel typically peaks with road travel as Americans go on vacation.

Gilligan said that some state fuel dealer associations were pressing lawmakers to make it easier to prosecute motorists who fill up and then drive off without paying, while many service stations were starting to require payment up front.

"The last time we had a spike up in gasoline, lots of retailers switched to requiring payment before fill-up," said Gilligan. "But many retailers still want to preserve the trust relationship they have with their customers."

(Editing by John Picinich)

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-04-25 12:34:08
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36 comments

KYA25 02:34:07 AM Apr 28 2008

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why would gas go down if we drive less ....theyd raise prices to make up difference ...what do you think if everyone conserved energy and electric bills went down 40 % the elec comp would just raise rates 40% ...what are we gonna do 95% people need gas,electricity ,water, sewer cable etc we gotta pay what are we gonna do elect politicians to help come on would you take millllions for your slush fund or worry bout a couple votes even if there not reelected they got 2 -4 years to steal from us could retire in that time with money they steal.. iwatch shows about gangs and criminals the i watch show about politicians i ask you whats the difference ....gangs tax criminals pols tax working class .....the weapon a gun ******** ....

JodyKolley 07:14:07 PM Apr 27 2008

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God I know the gas prices here in south florida are teetering on the 4 dollar line! ugh!

I seriously earn enough extra cash online lately to cover all my monthly fill ups though - Curious? check it out:
http://cashcrate.com/388126

No scams, no drama guys - just trying to help everyone out =)

Qster343 03:00:21 PM Apr 27 2008

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We Americans are a little stupid when it comes to prices . We buy Poland Spring for a dollar twenty five , water thats the same as the water that you get out of the tap and the plastic bottle goes into the garbage then sits in a dump site for 100's of years. If you really want to get the prices down DON'T drive . If every american who drives boycott the gas station and don't drive for the days that they are off (weekends) then the prices would go down . And for the the high price of Oil and other Commadites stop giving Goldman Sachs and other firms money to buy futures and drive the prices up . Only people in the industry should buy there futures on margin not speculators .

Cyq054 02:09:50 PM Apr 27 2008

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FYI Bush and team EXPANDED the Government and spent more than any Democrat administration could have gotten away with.

No, I'm neather Democrat or Republican, but a Conservitive.

Cyq054 01:55:05 PM Apr 27 2008

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Pulling copper out of a street lamp is not a great way to pay for gas either.
And sloooow down. Speeding just gets tou to the next station sooner.

Ops...forgot....#@!* Bush

Oakcourt 12:21:36 PM Apr 27 2008

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GREEDY Speculators destroyed our housing market, roller - coastered the stock market, now they are destroying the commodity markets. All in the name of GREED. Our present government believes in "less government" and this is what sets in - GREED. These companies could care less about a descent profit. No, they are creating these short-term excessive profits, that will eventually destroy the ability for the average citizen to function properly. "GREED IS GOOD" is th