CNN/Reuters: Drivers run out of gas to save money

[DeepModem Mom]

Drivers run out of gas to save money
Tuesday, April 25, 2006

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Some California drivers are resorting to desperate measures to beat the surge in gas prices at the pump -- deliberately running dry on the state's freeways and simply waiting for rescue.

"Every time fuel goes up, we start noticing it. But right now we are noticing it a lot more," Andy Lujan, owner of California Coach Towing in Orange County, said Tuesday.

Lujan's 20 trucks roam the busy freeways of Orange and Los Angeles counties as part of a publicly funded patrol that gives a free gallon of gas to drivers who have run out of fuel. It also offers other basic assistance to drivers whose vehicles have broken down.

"You say to some of them 'hey, you've run out of gas' and they say 'yeah, it's too expensive.' I think the percentage is going to increase," Lujan said.

Gas prices in California, where the car is king, are some of the highest in the nation at more than $3 a gallon and rising....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/25/life.gas.reut/index.html

[marmar]

1. The Bush economy is wonderful, isn't it?

:yoiks:

[hobbit709]

2. The problem with that is

A lot of the later model cars with the internal gas tank fuel pumps, the pump then craps out. Having to drop the tank, remove and replace the pump ain't cheap either. Older cars had an inline fuel filter before the pump, the new ones only have a screen at the pump intake to catch the big chunks. When the grit gets into the pump because the tank is dry, the pump goes.

[William769]

3. Running out of gas to get one free gallon?

:eyes:

Florida has the same program. I can see it now this program will get abused & then be stopped!

No one knows hardship over gas prices like I do right now, but one free gallon? Give me a fucking break! Someone is going to get stranded & not get the help, yea thats the ticket.

[Robb]

4. No kidding, this is the silliest story I've ever heard

The writer draws the conclusion people are doing it on purpose -- rather than, more likely, waiting until the last minute (and apparently sometimes later) to fuel up.

Not. Deliberately. Running. Out. For. Free. Gallon. :eyes:

[iamjoy]

6. Or They Get Stuck

they wait as long as possible hoping the price will come down (or they will get their paycheck so they will have the money) and then they get caught in a traffic jam.

[elehhhhna]

9. The Pusher called us all addicts, remember? It's OUR fault.

stoopid poor people.

[depakid]

18. LOL -check the source!

That they have any credibility left at all is amazing....

[Centered]

7. Was thinking the same thing

not sure about the people in the article but my time is worth more to me than to sit stranded somewhere waiting for a free gallon of gas.

[geomon666]

11. Not to mention the cost for fuel to truck the gallon out to these people.

If you can't afford to drive, too bad. Learn how to use a bicycle.

[prolesunited]

14. Wow, aren't you nice

What if their commute to work is more than they can do on a bike? Not everyone's Lance, you know.

And, have you ever been almost run off the road by SUVs?

I ride my bike to do errands as much as possible, but I also realize that not everyone has the time or capability of doing so. And, until my office installs showers, I'm not commuting to work. Next, you'll be complaining about all of your smelly, sweaty co-workers.

[magellan]

22. Try biking from downtown L.A. to the Valley

Let me know how you do...when you get there...if ever....

[katty]

23. right! we travel miles&miles in LA-I'll probably get a vespa

[magellan]

26. You might want to wait

Vespa Unveils Two Hybrid Scooters (April 2006)

They're still in the prototype stage. And I don't know if they're safe for the freeways!

[DS1]

16. I'd rather pay the three dollars and get home/to work on time

:eyes:

[sandnsea]

24. Just like "welfare queens"

I imagine it happened once and somebody is using this as a diversion for political purposes. There are very few people who would sit on a California freeway to get a gallon of gas.

[madmom]

5. How about running out of gas a just leaving the car sit on the

side of the road, I know, theft and stripping and all, but if enough cars were abandoned on the roadsides maybe someone would notice. Maybe we can use a junk car if one is available.

[Ilsa]

8. If there is much of this that actually happens, then maybe they need to

start for that gallon of gas, like $4 for it.

[ckramer]

10. I heard a suicide hotline for SUV drivers has been setup

HAHA! kidding!

[DS1]

17. Well

They could drink from the pump

[SoCalDem]

12. Only a FOOL would deliberately run out to get A GALLON OF "FREE" GAS..

Who in their right mind would want to wait by the road on a CA freeway until a truck comes by to give them enough to get to the next exit? My car broke down once on the way back from Vegas...between Baker & Barstow.. I can tell you for SURE, that was the longest hour I ever spent, walking to a phonebox and then waiting for an hour or more for a tow truck..Did I mention it was July ? :grr:

[Clovis Sangrail]

13. bs

========
"There was one guy a while back who was stopping every morning and trying to get his one free gallon," said Dayan
========

this is just like the panhandler meme... complete bullshit.

[ThoughtCriminal]

15. Nothing like sitting on the shoulder for 2 hours

to get $3 worth of free gas? Sure...
:eyes:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

19. Exactly...Time IS money.

Hopefully 2 hours is worth more than $3...

[tomhayes]

20. I've run out of gas in San Diego and...

1)They come pretty quickly. It was less 1/2 an hour.
2)They give you about a gallon and a half
3)They write down your license plate number

I asked some questions including:
Q: Why do you give us gas? A:To keep you off the side of the road where other drivers will slow down and looky-lu you an d cause jams and/or accidents.
Q: What if I do this every day? A:We stop giving you gas and have you towed off the freeway at your own expense.

Are articles like this designed exclusively to spread the myth of the WELFARE state??

[DainBramaged]

21. You're right, I bet a reich-winger is doing this to cast

the light of hate on the poor. Why even bother bringing this up?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

25. great points.

"see those freeloaders, give them ANYTHING and they take advantage of it, why. . .did you hear about that woman who had 47 kids paid for by welfare that drove around in a stretch Hummer. . well now she pulls over to the side of the road to get a gallon of gas!!"

i think you have made a great point. . . welcome to DU.