AAA North Jersey Calls For Increased Awareness At Gas Stations During Holiday Weekend

WAYNE, N.J., May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- David L. Hughes, President of AAA North Jersey, calls for North Jersey Motorists to be attentive when buying gasoline especially during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend to be sure they pay the exact price per gallon as advertised on the gas station signage.

"Memorial Day weekend sees a tremendous increase in traffic with many motorists in North Jersey heading to vacation spots in the mountains or Jersey Shore," said Hughes.  "And some motorists don't realize that the importance of checking the price on the gas pump to the price on the station signage as they're filling up for their weekend getaway."

Hughes notes that county Weights & Measures officers randomly and routinely conduct inspections of service stations within their jurisdictions to ensure that advertised fuel prices correspond with prices on the fuel dispensers; price-per-gallon indicators are featured prominently on the pumps; and that gas prices are not changed more than once in any 24-hour period.

"Every violation, no matter how slight, defrauds the consumer," said Hughes. "Motorists need to remain vigilant when getting gas and Weights and Measures needs to target unscrupulous fuel merchants."

Hughes suggested that motorists pay attention to the following every time they stop for gas at a service station:

• Make sure that the price-per-gallon displayed on top of the gas pump matches the price-per-gallon label within the pump dispenser;
• Make sure that the sale amount on the pump reads "zero" before fuel is dispensed into your vehicle;
• Check the sale price to ensure that the correct amount of fuel has been pumped into your vehicle before paying for fuel;
• In the case of a fill-up, pay the total sale price on the pump, not what the attendant tells you what you owe; and
• If paying by credit card, check that the number of gallons, the price per gallon, and the total amount being charged to your receipt matches the numbers on the pump

Hughes urges Weights and Measures officials throughout New Jersey and New York to be aggressive in checking for dishonest behavior at fueling stations.

"We want to send a message to would-be crooks that the motoring public and our advocates at Weights & Measures are keeping an eye out this holiday weekend," said Hughes.

SOURCE AAA North Jersey