It’s routine. It’s perfunctory. And it literally helps us get from point A to point B. You guessed it – it’s filling up a tank of gas.
Unfortunately, at gas stations across Canada, too many lives have been lost in violent incidents involving gas theft – losses that could have been prevented. Familiar with the term “gas-and-dash?” It’s pretty self-explanatory; gas-and-dash crimes happen when an individual takes off without paying for fuel. And sadly, there are many potential victims along the way:
1. The gas station attendant. Perform a Google search of “gas and dash crimes” and you’ll find a list of gas station attendants who’ve lost their lives while trying to stop thieves. This list is too long. You’ll see horrific stories of attendants being struck intentionally by vehicles or dragged out of the station and down the street. You’ll read about the families they left behind and how they’re grieving their loved ones every day.
All for a tank of gas. It’s inconceivable.
2. The gas station customers. Not only are attendants at risk; customers at the station during a gas-and-dash crime are susceptible to injury to their body or damage to their vehicle as the assailant flees the station. Can you imagine making a routine stop to refuel – only to be impacted by such a senseless crime? I’ve never feared for my life when stopping for gas, and I’d like to keep it that way.
3. Pedestrians and motorists along the escape route. The mad dash to get away can claim even more innocent lives – everyday people minding their own business, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now you may be thinking, Wow, Lena, you’ve given this a lot of thought! You bet I have – because gas-and-dash crimes can be easily and effectively prevented in the simplest way: by having gas stations implement a prepay policy. Whether customers pay at the pump or in-store before fueling, this one small change can increase safety tenfold and all but eliminate this senseless crime.
Today, I’m proud to share that Husky is taking a stand against incidents involving gas theft; in a mandate to keep both employees and customers safe, they’ve introduced mandatory prepay throughout Canada.
Although prepaying is one of the easiest ways to promote a safer environment at gas stations, in Ontario, it’s a recommended action – not the law. Which leaves the onus on consumers to choose the safest option for ourselves, our families and members of our community. And that’s why we choose to fill up at Husky.
Have I convinced you to pay before you pump? Let me know what you think in the comments.
This post is sponsored by Husky. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
I love that they have this in place!! we have an option to go in to pay or pay at the pump but we always pay before we pump. I know there are so many people who drive off which is totally not cool.!
This is a great initiative by Husky gas stations and I love this prepay gas option. It will definitely eliminate the gas-and-dash crimes that hurt so many innocent people.
Yes, I usually pay at the pump – it’s faster, as long as the machine is working correctly :-)
I usually do pay before I put in, with me having the kids with me it so much easier, rather then unbuckle the seat to take with me to do um again which makes the fast little trip out so much longer (little man still in 5 point) I won’t leave them in the van while I run I cause it’s getting much warmer and what if something is happen takes to long inside, so I always pay before I pump even if I’m alone just got into that habit
Gas and dash crimes are horrible indeed – and like you said, all for gas. They should’ve made it prepay from the get-go in my opinion. I think after one incident pay-before-you-pump became mandatory here in BC for all gas stations, but we do love Husky nonetheless.
The government here in Alberta recently changed the legislation to prepay as well. It’s just a necessary part of modern times.
I always prepay at the pumps, it also helps with not going over and pumping to much!
Gas and dash crimes are horrible and has happened in a small Town where I live.Yes,I think we should pay first and help keep everyone safer.
Oh wow – I hadn’t thought that it was still a thing, what with all the cameras places have and things.
i’m pretty sure every gas station in BC is prepay. you can’t pump without putting your card into the machine and selecting a limit amount or paying inside.
i had no idea this wasn’t a national thing! glad ontario is getting on board :)
Yes we’ve had some tragedies from crimes of this nature where I live & it has destroyed families. I am totally on board with the laws changing so it protects everyone & these horrific events are prevented.
I would totally support this it protects everyone!
I have no problems with this!
This is great, out here in BC you need to prepay which I think is such good idea. It’s so sad that people have actually lost their lives over a tank of gas in my opinion. Any death this prevents is worth it.
Totally! I didn’t even realize we had mandatory pre-pay here in BC because I always do anyway, but it is a good thing for sure!
I think previous commenters here are correct, in BC we have to prepay. I like that! And in BC, we have nutty bananas gas prices- I was SHOCKED at how low it was in Ontario and Quebec on a recent holiday (comparatively to BC, I mean). We have Husky here, and I really like this policy. I might start visiting them for gas more!
I usually pump and pay because most times I picked up my Lotto tickets at the same time. This is a great idea for the safety reason you talked about. I paid $1.42 a litre yesterday here in Newfoundland. On our trip to France in May we pay over $1.50 a litre in Euros.
I think pre-pay should be mandatory everywhere! I really like Husky for doing this.
Yikes, as gas is sky high now, this is good to keep in mind. I think it’s all prepaid where I live.
It’s about time! I use to work for a gas company head office and I did the paper work (AR Clerk) for 50 gas stations. It was unbelievable how often gas-and-dash happened.
Pre-paying at the pump is the most efficient and practical way to go.
I live in BC and this has been around for a years now and I thought it was the standard. I didn’t realize there were places that still don’t have the pay before you pump system in place. Amazing. Great article.
I think pre-pay is fair; anyone who complains about it is selfish and does not realize what is at stake. We had an immigrant mom of three die in Calgary because of this when she tried to stop a theft (shame on the owner of the gas station for making her responsible for any thefts that she felt desperate enough to jump in front of a vehicle).
I was surprised to hear what some gas stations lost out on because of theft,I would agree to pay before you pump
Here in Alberta it is the law now to pre-pay for gas to prevent gas and dash crimes!
Like other commenters, I thought this was standard. Wow! It should be!
I always pre-pay and I find most gas stations require this now. Such a senseless crime.
Pre Pay became a BC wide regulation in 2008 and was a first in Canada. It become known as Grant’s Law — named after a young Maple Ridge gas station attendant who was killed trying to prevent a robbery in 2005. I thought/ think its an awesome rule but I’m surprised its taken so long for other provinces to implement it.
Good way to keep the employees safe at the gas stations
That’s great that Husky is doing that. Here in NS, it is not mandatory that you pay first, but the odd gas station might have that rule.
I never knew that they had pre pump in Canada but that’s what they do in the US.
Important information many people will be happy to hear.