New Jersey drivers may soon have to pump their own gas

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- New Jersey is one of two states in the country where you're not allowed to pump your own gas.

Oregon is the other and they're starting to ease restrictions there.

"It's New Jersey, it's what we're used to. That's the way we've grown up and that's just the way it's always been," said Joel Carpenter.

But legislation recently introduced in Trenton would change that and allow gas stations, over a three-year period, to go from full service to self-serve.

Reaction from drivers?

"I don't like to pump my own gas. I've never pumped my own gas and I do prefer for them to do it for me," said Danielle Dengler.

"Number one - I don't know how to and then it's just it's an inconvenience. I like for people to do it for me," said Janet Owens.

"I'm 80 some years old and I've never pumped my gas and I just don't think I'd like to start now," said Louise Grieve.

Willingboro gas station owner Balkar Saini says it would save on employee costs and generate more business in convenience stores attached to stations.

"I want to go self-service. It's gonna help us a lot," said Saini.

A statewide trade group that once opposed self-serve now supports it.

New Jersey's ban on pumping your own gas was started back in 1949 when it was considered a safety issue.

But people in 48 states have been doing it without much of a problem, so why not here?

"I think it would be nice. It would speed the process up a lot cause they only have one attendant here right now pumping gas. And you see all these cars here - we have to wait," said Chris Small.

"They don't realize how many people pump gas in Jersey. There's a lot of stations - put a lot of people out of work," said Chuck Powell, gas attendant.

A number of Pennsylvania drivers say they love to gas up in Jersey

"I have no problem with them pumping it - makes it easier and to me, if it stays cheap, I don't care," said Bill Rumford.

But like other attempts before this, the idea of pumping your own gas in the Garden State will likely fail.

Senate President Steve Sweeney of Gloucester County is against it. He says it's not going to happen on his watch and he's the one who decides what bills get voted on.