The price of gasoline may be high, but not paying after filling up their tanks could be even more costly for state motorists.
A new law places tough penalties on anyone convicted three times for retail theft of gasoline. It allows for a 30-day driver's license suspension and a $500 fine. There is a fine of $100 to $250 for first-time offenders and $250 to $500 for second offenses.
The law was passed last year and went into effect in December, but station owners kicked off a campaign last Wednesday to make customers aware of the provisions, including stickers warning of the consequences of stealing gasoline.
State Sen. Allen Kukovich, D-Westmoreland, a proponent of the measure, estimates that Pennsylvania's gas stations lose as much as $7 million per year from customers who drive away without paying their bills.
Pennsylvania has become the 19th state to adopt some sort of drive-off legislation.
To make the charges stick, authorities will have to show that the offender drove away intentionally, and didn't just forget to pay.
"The purpose isn't to arrest more people. The purpose is to be a deterrent," Kukovich said, explaining that the law is targeted mainly at young drivers who are most likely to attempt to abscond with free gas.
We applaud Pennsylvania's legislature for taking tough action to protect the state's gas station operators. People who steal gasoline are no different from shoplifters or other thieves, and they should be dealt with harshly.
We hope this new law gets their attention.
