Canadian Gas Stations Report Rise Of Drive Off Incidents

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) - Many Canadians have responded to the non-stop rising fuel prices by cutting on travel, car pooling, using foot power or commuting. But some motorists would rather tank up and run.

According to the Ottawa sun, from Jan. 1 to May 23, there was a 20 percent rise in drive-off incidents in gas stations compared to the same period in 2007. It has been a three-year steady rise from 237 incidents in 2006, to 270 in 2007 and 324 by 2008.

Ottawa police correlate the rise in such incidents to the soaring price of vehicle fuel. Citing Natural Resources Canada data, the police said average pump price in January 2006 was only $0.90 per liter, which jumped to $0.97 by May 2006. By the start of 2008 it had further escalated to $1.02 and now is at $1.24.

Staff Sgt. Jim Pietrkiewicz, however, clarified that not all incidents were attempts to defraud the gas stations, especially if it involved regular customers. Some drivers were just in a hurry and forgot to settle their gas bills before driving off.

Meanwhile, as Canadians and the rest of the world tighten their belts over soaring fuel prices, Albertans, like Middle Eastern nations, are rejoicing over the additional revenues they get from rising crude prices which had hit a record high of $135 a barrel this week.

However, Toronto Star columnist Gillian Steward observed that the federal government also benefits from Alberta's windfall by imposing all sorts of taxes on the province to get a share of the petro dollars enjoyed by Alberta.