Handicapped drivers in Georgia will soon find it easier to ask for help at self-service gas pumps. State Rep. Wayne Howard (D-Augusta) and Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black announced the program at a Circle K convenience store on Deans Bridge Road.
The idea started with Georgia House Bill 437, which Howard introduced in the 2021 legislative session. It passed the House and was referred to a state Senate committee for consideration. Commissioner Black realized there was a faster way to start the program.
“We already have a sticker on the pump, so we offered a solution to Rep. Howard. We’ll just expand the sticker we have,” Black said.
“There are very limited numbers of full-service gas stations left in the state, leaving Georgians with disabilities stranded when it comes to a simple task of pumping gas,” said Howard.
Howard said many convenience stores no longer have an intercom system connecting the pumps to the employees in the store. With this decal, a handicapped driver can call the number on the sticker, reach an employee and ask for assistance to pump gas.
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Charlie Miller, legislative advocacy director with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, said, “The council believes that we should be able to live, work and play in our own communities. You can’t live, you can’t work and you can’t play if you can’t get gas.”
Also on hand were representatives of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Paul Stewart, advocacy director with the PVA Southeastern Chapter, said, “We are here to support the state of Georgia with the sticker being put on the pumps as well as promote it to other states.”
The Agriculture Department is responsible for checking more than 170,000 gas pumps in Georgia for accuracy and purity of the fuel. Black said all the inspectors have the decal and will attach them during the regular inspection process.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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