Turn off car engine when gassing up, new law says
The Department of Public Safety yesterday reminded vehicle operators to shut off their engine while fueling up at the gas station, warning that failure to do so has corresponding penalties.
The government started implementing early this year Public :Law 11-56, also known as the Commonwealth Fire Safety Code, which makes it illegal to smoke and to leave vehicle engine on while gassing up.
Violators are facing a civil penalty of between $5,000 $10,000 and criminal penalty not more than six months of imprisonment and/or $50,000 fine.
The new law was adopted from the Uniform Fire Code endorsed by the International Conference of Building Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
“Gas attendants are advised to instruct drivers to shut off their engines before fueling and to report any violators by writing down the license plate numbers and the name of the driver and calling the Division of Fire at 664-9003/4/5,” DPS said.
The department is also urging the public to report to the Division of Fire any gas stations and gas attendants that are not advising drivers to shut their engines before fueling. (MCM)
