Man ran out of gas on I-635 the other day (Dallas: credit, living)

[Big G]

This is the best thread on here in a while. The OP tosses out some juicy flame bait, and the denizens eat it up.

To semi-seriously address the original proposal:

Issuing a $500 fine for such a situation would be a jerk move.

First, as others have pointed out, the type of person who runs out of gas is often the type of person who only had enough $$$$ to put in a few gallons of gas in the first place. Definitely a "kick 'em when they're down" setup.

Second, they already have to do the walk of shame to and from the gas station. That alone should be enough punishment to ensure it doesn't happen to them a second time, without needing to their wallet.

Third, unlike littering or driving without insurance, this isn't something someone actively engages in. Again, as others have cited, there are many ways your car can run out of gas OTHER than just active neglect on your part.

Fourth, good luck to the cop who needs to legally establish that lack of gas is the culprit, as opposed to mechanical problems. Instituting this would just result in every empty tank (facing a steep fine) turning into "mechanical problems", requiring a tow to clear the situation, rather than just a splash of fuel.

Finally, 635 ain't the Holland Tunnel. NYC doesn't fine you for running out of gas anywhere in the city, just in one specific space-limited location.

[mikeh19468]

Originally Posted by Big G

This is the best thread on here in a while. The OP tosses out some juicy flame bait, and the denizens eat it up.

To semi-seriously address the original proposal:

Issuing a $500 fine for such a situation would be a jerk move.

First, as others have pointed out, the type of person who runs out of gas is often the type of person who only had enough $$$$ to put in a few gallons of gas in the first place. Definitely a "kick 'em when they're down" setup.

Second, they already have to do the walk of shame to and from the gas station. That alone should be enough punishment to ensure it doesn't happen to them a second time, without needing to their wallet.

Third, unlike littering or driving without insurance, this isn't something someone actively engages in. Again, as others have cited, there are many ways your car can run out of gas OTHER than just active neglect on your part.

Fourth, good luck to the cop who needs to legally establish that lack of gas is the culprit, as opposed to mechanical problems. Instituting this would just result in every empty tank (facing a steep fine) turning into "mechanical problems", requiring a tow to clear the situation, rather than just a splash of fuel.

Finally, 635 ain't the Holland Tunnel. NYC doesn't fine you for running out of gas anywhere in the city, just in one specific space-limited location.

The bigger shame would be if you were sitting out on 635 with your Nissan Leaf having no charge, waving an extension cord around

[pappy97]

This whole threads brings up a big issue with many freeways and tollways in the DFW metro: the lack of a big enough shoulder.

Take, for example, the Dallas North Tollway in Dallas and Addison. Is there even a proper shoulder? Accidents (or any car stoppage) become a nightmare on these stretches of the DNT because of the lack of a shoulder. Don't really understand how any freeway or tollway ever got built here without at least one huge shoulder [wide enough for an 18-wheeler] to the right (and preferably, a shoulder on the left, at least wide enough for a regular car, too).

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Obviously if you run out of gas there is a money problem, so you want to fine the man $500 so that after he pays it he runs out of gas again and delays you on your shopping trip?

Unlikely the guy was cash broke as he was driving a very nice car.

For me is was not a shopping trip either I had vendors from overseas in the car.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by talkispoison

Once, my roommate's car was in the shop and when it was done he took mine to go get his. I was at work when it was done and was having a co-worker drop me off at the shop to get my car once I was off. Once I started driving back, I immediately got on 183 at PGBT in Irving. While going up the ramp, my car died due to no gas. The gas light had never come on (which usually allowed me 30-40 miles) and I hadn't had a chance to put any gas in it at the time. So OP, what do you suggest I could have done to avoid that?

I think if people were ticketed for things like this running out of gas in traffic would decrease in frequency.

[talkispoison]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I think if people were ticketed for things like this running out of gas in traffic would decrease in frequency.

True, but I don't think I would have deserved a ticket. After all, what law did I break?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by talkispoison

True, but I don't think I would have deserved a ticket. After all, what law did I break?

You didn't break any law therefore you did not deserve a ticket. IMO the law should be changed.

If you keep a gun(s) at home it's your responsibility to know if they are loaded or not no excuses ever.

[PlanoGirl]

I call BS on this one. If you were really concerned about the welfare of the other drivers on the road (and not your own precious time), then you would have picked up the phone and called someone to help, if you couldn't help them yourself. Was the guy irresponsible for running out of gas on the highway? Probably. Where you irresponsible for not assisting in some way (even just a phone call to the authorities)? Absolutely!

[BoxCar Willie]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Unlikely the guy was cash broke as he was driving a very nice car.

For me is was not a shopping trip either I had vendors from overseas in the car.

SO, THIS is the real reason of your self important rant. you had visitors in your car with you and felt speecial, OH MY!!!

[galore]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I think if people were ticketed for things like this running out of gas in traffic would decrease in frequency.

I have yet to see someone stalling their car on a highway due to running out of fuel. In all 14 years of living in Dallas with almost daily trips on LBJ.

The frequency of this offense is apparently very low.