Yesterday I was pumping my gas at the local self-serve, and I noticed the lady in front of me was pumping AS WELL AS talking on her cell phone.

Isn't that dangerous??? I know the sign on the pump says to refrain from cell phone use at the pumps. Not sure what the consequences could be, but I don't use mine out there at the pump because of that sign. However, I don't know if this lady was aware of the sign. In addition, I didn't know what it was that could happen (other than you might accidentally go over your $$ limit, or overflow the gas tank...).

Does anyone know if this is truly dangerous? What can happen?

Final question (for anyone who's still with me here): Would you walk over to that person and tell them to put away their cell phone, and point out the sign, or would you just let them keep using it as they pump?

Be honest - I want to know what the typical person would do. Was I in any danger since she was using it nearby? I hate to say it, but if I was, then that could impact my decision on whether or not to point out the sign to the offending cell phone user.

Any insight appreciated!

D

Static electricity. You are supposed to stay outside your car while pumping for this reason also. One spark and you could blow the place apart.

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Fuelish Pleasures

I personally feel to pump gas and talk on a cell is not too smart :

#1 because the sign says so (too many people in this world missed this part in Kindergarten )

#2 the dangers of static build up and discharge are all too common at gas stations regadless of the urban legend patrol.

#3 I worry more about those who are driving and with a cell phone in hand!

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Besides all that, people talking on cell phones and performing some other task are generally slower. I can't stand it when I'm in line somewhere - ANYWHERE - and a place will be packed while someone yaks on their cell phone, taking their sweet old time. Sometimes it's all I can do not to yank it out of their hands and say into the speaker, "I'm sorry, the person you've been talking to is holding up the line here at (insert place here). So-and-so has been rude long enough, he/she will have to call you back later."

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I've heard of the static too. No, I don't talk on my cell phone when I'm pumping gas. Would I go over to another person and tell them to stop talking on their phone? No. I would go to the attendant on duty and tell them. I feel that's part of their responsibility and job. Maybe they could turn off their pump and tell them when they stop talking on their cell phone their pump will be turned back on.

while I would love to say that I would go to the attendant and tell them about it....I wouldn't just because 99% of the time I have my kids with me so that means hauling them out of the car to go into the store...too much hassle. I would pump my gas quick as I can and leave

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Awww come on, it's their right.

Well, at least they think it is. Somehow having a cell phone in so many cases, means losing the ability to think when it rings....the world stops.

dl

I don't talk on my cell when I pump gas, but there are no signs around here not to use it while pumping gas.

Can't pump our own gas here, so we can talk all we want.


They had the cell phone thing on Mythbusters one time and it can not ignite a gas pump btw.

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

Sam's Club is the place with signs about talking on the cell phone and staying outside your vehicle while pumping gas. Actually I would be more concerned about static discharge from exiting the vehicle than I would be about talking on the cell phone. I'm just an electic type person cause I get quite a shock when I get out of the vehicle. Spraying static guard on the seats helps.

Myth Busters had a show about cell phones at the pump the other week. Its all false ladies you are not going to blow up or start on fire by using a cell phone at the pump.
On the other hand static discharge from exiting the vehicle WILL get ya!

I dont know if its true or not they cause static, but I do know in a small town a train blew up with a guy & he died & they found the cause to be static not sure what the static came from though but the blow up shook up that whole town

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mom of 3 greats girls

Awhile back, I saw a program on the dangers of static electricity and pumping gas. Yes, it can cause an explosion. I remember it was stressed that you shouldn't jump back in the car after starting the pump, which so many of us want to do in the winter time. You can build up static electricity and when you touch the pump again close to the fumes, this can possibly cause an explosion. They said to break the static, you have to touch metal first, before the pump. Anyway, it can happen, so I guess I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there may be static coming from a cell phone.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Good thing here in jersey you roll down the window, tell the fella what you want and dont have to worry about any of that stuff except I guess the people talking inside their cars but your suppose to have a handsfree phone when your driving.

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I don't pump and talk mainly b/c that entails doing two things at the same time. I have never heard of this....I am skeptical that it would cause an explosion.

Rebecca