Self-Serve Gas Could Bring Lower Prices In New Jersey But Many Residents Are Torn About Ending Tradition

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- With gas prices through the roof, there's another push for self-serve gas pumps in New Jersey. Some stations lowered prices on Friday to showcase what they could be saving if drivers were pumping their own gas.

Drivers in the Garden State are paying an average of $4.47 per gallon, that's less than Pennsylvania but more than Delaware. The topic of self-serve gas in New Jersey brings on strong emotions because it's New Jersey tradition, but prices are 20 cents less for regular and 30 cents less for premium.

More than 75 gas stations across New Jersey slashed prices on Friday to convince drivers of the benefits of pumping your own gas. A bill in the New Jersey legislature proposes giving divers the option of either full-service or self-serve gas.

Gov. Phil Murphy described this debate as a third-rail issue.

The event is part of Fuel Your Way NJ. It's being promoted by the lobbying group representing gas station owners.

Organizers claim giving drivers the option to pump their own gas will reduce prices and will not lead to gas station attendants losing their jobs. They say those workers will be moved to other jobs at the service stations.

At the Amoco gas station in Cherry Hill, a manager told Eyewitness News they slashed their regular gasoline by 20 cents per gallon and their premium grades by 30 cents per gallon.

While Fred Ellis drove to the station to take advantage of the savings, he said full-service is still worth saving.

"I don't have to get out the car and pump," Ellis said. "Plus, it keeps people employed."

If given the option, Kimberly Jones would also choose full-service gasoline.

"I just don't want to touch the gas and touch all that," Jones said.

A recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll revealed 73% of New Jerseyans preferred having someone else pump their gas, while 22% want to pump their own gas.

"I'm for letting us pump our own gas here," Jeff Mink said. "We tend to be impatient in New Jersey, so nobody even wants to wait for somebody to come pump gas. Half the time, I'm tempted to jump out of my car and pump it for myself."

Marcus Williams said full service should remain because it helps make New Jersey a unique state.

"I'm kind of spoiled so I still like the full service," Williams said. "That's one of the cool things, besides high taxes, of living in New Jersey is that we get our gas pumped for us."

The event will last all day.

Click here for a list of the 75 gas stations participating in Friday's event.