Why can't you use your phone at a petrol station?

Like running with scissors, swimming after eating and sitting too close to the television - using your mobile phone at a petrol station is just one of those things you’ve always been told not to do.

But why? What is the scientific reason for it? What are the petrol station rules and regulations in Australia? And is it really that dangerous or just an urban myth?

In this article we’ll answer all those questions so you’ll know what rules to follow and why.

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The simple reason is the fear of a spark from the phone igniting petrol vapours and creating a fire or explosion. Static electricity, which can be generated from a phone or other sources, can create a spark too and is therefore another concern.

However, these are considered incredibly unlikely by most experts. But in an age of workplace safety importance, petrol station operators are unwilling to take any risks - hence the blanket ban.

Are there particular places that are okay for phone use?

Service station operators are happy for you to use your phone while in your car or in the store, but it is against the rules to use it in the forecourt around the petrol bowsers.

Although, be mindful if you sit in your car at a petrol bowser checking emails or social media, you might cause a traffic jam at busy times, so be mindful of other drivers.

(Image: RDNE Stock Images)

What are the dangers of phone use while pumping petrol?

There are other risks beyond simply starting a fire. Using a phone while filling petrol into your car is simply a distracted state to be in while undertaking a potentially hazardous task. While modern petrol pumps automatically cut off when they detect the tank is full, the risk of a fuel spill remains.

There’s also the simple fact that smartphones have made us dumb pedestrians and having your head buried into your phone in an area where cars are moving in and out on a regular basis is not a safe choice. It’s understandable that service stations don’t want potential pedestrian accidents on a regular basis.

What is the history of these concerns?

The concerns over mobile phones starting fires appears to be largely a myth, with very few credible reports of a spark from a phone igniting petrol vapour. The origins of this urban legend appear to go back decades, with famous Australian scientist, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki writing a piece in 2006 revealing the cause.

‘Dr Karl’ claims the initial concerns are largely centred on false claims in a hoax email, which just happened to get help from an unlikely source.

“This email has been traced back to a hoax email that landed in the inbox of a Shell employee in Jamaica,” Dr Karl wrote in 2006. “He rebroadcast it, but with the Shell Company signature now on the email - and this accidental non-approved signature gave the hoax more credibility.”

The TV show Mythbusters tried to recreate the effect of a mobile phone igniting vapours but couldn’t.

So, it seems the concerns are largely unfounded in historical events, but service station operators have chosen to take extra precaution just in case.

(Image: RDNE Stock Images)

Is it against the law to use phone at petrol station? Does this differ in different Australian states?

Mobile phone petrol station law across Australia is a grey area. Legally speaking it’s not against the law to use your phone but the majority of petrol stations have rules against it. So, if you want to use the service station, you need to follow the rules of the business, thus using a phone is practically banned across the country.

How can you make sure you use your phone safely at a petrol station?

Short answer - don’t. Filling up your car should only take a couple of minutes, so best to leave your phone in your pocket, bag or inside the car while you pump your petrol or diesel.