Pay before you pump may be on the way

British Columbia motorists may soon have to pay up front before they fill up, if the results of a recent WorkSafe BC survey is followed through on by the Provincial government.

With a number of high profile gas and dashes taking place as the price of gas rises, the province is giving serious consideration to expanding the regulation that is in effect in some of the larger urban areas during the evening hours.

The CBC website had details of the plan and some of the history behind the problem.

B.C. drivers may have to prepay for gas 24 hours a day
Last Updated: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 9:05 AM PT
CBC News

Drivers could soon have to prepay before filling up at B.C. gas stations 24 hours a day to protect workers from gas-and-dash thieves, says WorkSafe BC, the agency responsible for worker safety.

The change would be the result of the death in 2005 of Lower Mainland gas station attendant Grant De Patie, who was dragged to his death when he tried to stop a driver who hadn't paid for $12.30 worth of gas.

The young man's death prompted his father, Doug, to spearhead a campaign for "Grant's law," which would make it mandatory to prepay for gas at night in major urban centres.

The provincial government announced last October that it would bring in a regulation to that effect.

WorkSafe BC then held a series of public consultations into the proposal, and spokeswoman Donna Freeman said the public wanted the province to go further with the idea.

"We had significant input suggesting that the regulation should be broadened, to be provincewide and apply 24 hours a day," she said.

The new 24-hour prepayment rule could come into effect as early as the end of this year, following more public meetings.

Doug De Patie is pleased, saying the move would save lives. "It will protect workers 24 hours a day from gas-and-dashers. It eliminates the crime of gas-and-dashes."