Is It Illegal To Use Your Cell Phone While Pumping Gas In El Paso?

Every gas station, (convenience store, stand alone, Walmart, truck stop, wherever), in El Paso has a notice up telling you not to use your phone. Is using it actually illegal though?

We've all seen the signs warning us not to use our cell phones while pumping gas. Is that store policy, a mere suggestion or a genuine threat? More importantly, here in El Paso, is it illegal? If it's truly that big of a danger, you'd think it would be ... right? Well, it's not.

If it was, you and about 99% of all Borderland drivers would be in jail. Yep, I'd be in there with you. I do it very rarely but it happens.

Why Can't You Use A Cell Phone While Pumping Gas?

For years, we've heard all kinds of ways to blow ourselves up gassing up. Not shutting off the engine, using a cell phone, getting in and out of the car, lighting a cigarette ... the list goes on and on. Using your cell phones though, isn't that big of a deal.

... according to the Petroleum Equipment Institute, there has not been a documented case of a cell phone being the culprit of this type of fire. Rather, the issue here boils down to being distracted.

READ MORE: Gas Buying Etiquette In El Paso

According to the National Association of Convenience and Fuel Retailing, there have been incidents where a driver on their cell phone has driven away with the fuel nozzle still in their vehicle, thereby damaging their car and the pump. - erieinsurance.com

Other Things You Shouldn't Do While Pumping Gas

There are other things we've been told we shouldn't do while gassing up. Passing out from shock when you see the total is a more recent "don't".

A Few Other Things

Warming up your car is no longer necessary, it just uses more fuel. Idling also uses more gas than turning the vehicle off and restarting it. Premium fuel also doesn't, (always), help with gas mileage.

You can learn more here or you can click here.