Whoa guys, isn't there a slightly more subtle way of getting the message across? How about "your phone could possibly, perhaps, maybe cause the fumes to ignite and you may, might, could get terribly injured"? :)
Aside from the text and its bluntness, the thing that I found amusing about the photo was the "Serious about service" tagline at the bottom of the sign. Not that I'm suggesting that Total's not serious about service - they're as good as the next filling station; but the contrast in tone is pretty funny, don't you think?
Matt
Actually, the cell phone and the petrol pump myth is unfounded.
Matt
By that I mean it won’t cause harm 99% part of the time.
Paul
Post authorHeh, I also think the chance is really slim, but still, I don’t talk on the phone while filling up… and cross my fingers that it doesn’t ring! Oh the stress! ;)
Paul
Post authorCome to think of it, I wonder if the reason for the sign isn’t more that they want to discourage people from chatting while filling up because while on the phone they hold up other customers also wanting to fill up.
Hendrik
Yup.. Mythbusters debunked this one a long while ago, the ignition potential of a cellphone in a chamber filled with gasoline fumes was… a big Zero [0]. Petrol requires a flame to ignite, not even a smouldering cigarette bud can cause it to catch fire.. so much for the Hollywood wonder of dropping a ciggy on a trail of petrol and it igniting to “run” to that big badda boom.. doesn’t happen. :o)
RiD1
haha .. Yes Hendrik is right… Mybusters busted this myth!!!
Its more the static and many other factors in the car that causes the flame!
Lionel better known as DAD
When you talk about static electricity, I asked the question why you do not see cars with chains or straps hanging from the rear to get rid of static the answer was that new tires have a high percentage of carbon in their composition thereby discharging the static.
Paul
Post authorHi Lionel better known as DAD, but then why oh why does Kerry-Anne’s Mini shock us so often? It definitely builds up static electricity. And, do you then think (as RiD1 mentioned above) it’s possible that the static may discharge, igniting the petrol fumes? :0
Naa, I guess not… I suspect that the charge will discharge to the attendant before discharging to the fumes. :)