Rising gas prices lead to more drivers not paying

By Barbara Hagenbaugh
USA Today

WASHINGTON — As gasoline prices soar, service station owners say they are seeing an increase in the number of drivers who are skipping out on the bill.

Last week, a Shell gas station clerk in New Port Richey, Fla., was injured after he grabbed onto a car door to stop a motorist who was running out on a $16 bill. Karam Zaki, 34, was dragged 450 feet while being kicked by the driver before swinging off the car. The driver has not been caught.

Case Marshall, owner of 16 Pit Stop Convenience Stores in upstate New York, says he has seen a rise in "drive offs," but the increase has been nowhere near as steep as it was in 2001 when gas prices were also elevated. That's perhaps in part because of steps he's taken to thwart thieves. Recent numbers are not available, but pump-and-runs cost owners more than $1,000 per station in 2001, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores — costing the industry more than $100 million.

Station owners say they always see an increase in gas theft when prices are high. While some drivers may be squeezed so tight they can't afford the higher gas costs, owners say others, thinking gas sellers are jacking up prices unfairly, may be taking it out on the them. Some elected officials and AAA have questioned if there is price gouging going on, a claim station owners angrily reject.

"There's a perception out there that when the price of gasoline goes up, we're just making that much more money," says Jim Tudor, president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores. "That's nowhere near the truth."

Retailers say they have not raised prices as quickly as their gas costs have increased. Station owners say after paying for gas, taxes, staff and other costs, they are hardly making money.

To deter theft, some stations require customers to pay before pumping, and others have installed cameras. Some places have enacted laws to increase fines or allow officials to take away drivers' licenses.