Michigan Gas Pumps Still Warning Us About Cell Phones—While Asking Us to Scan QR Codes

Coming back home from a recent trip to Battle Creek, I happened to gas up at the new-ish gas station on Beadle Lake Road. I was astonished to see, for the first time in my lifetime, a touchscreen menu for selecting fuel grade. "How far we've come," I thought for a brief moment before tilting my head like a wistful dog and audibly uttering, "Huh?"

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Battle Creek’s High-Tech Gas Station

Take a look at the image below, pay attention to the stickers and displays.

See it?

According to the fine people at the Battle Creek Chamber's Facebook page, the grand opening was held in September of 2024. So, needless to say, it still had that "new gas station smell" and the latest technology. Tell me why, then, after study after study by cell phone and petroleum companies alike have stated that using your phone at a gas station will not cause an explosion.

The Cell Phone at the Pump Myth

Skeptical? So was Snopes.com. In 2001. Nearly a quarter of a century ago, this urban legend was disproven less than two years after it began circulating on the internet. Yes, the World Wide Web has been serving up fake facts since its youth.

QR Codes, Ads, and Mixed Messages

But that isn't what caused my brain to glitch while I spent way too much time staring at this gas pump. It's the advertisements, complete with pictures of cell phones and QR codes that you scan. With. Your. Cell. PHONE.

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So…What Gives, Michigan?

You can't have it both ways. Now, if you squint and look at the fine print under one of the QR codes, you'll find a warning advising against using your phone while pumping.

They could be doing this to keep folks from getting distracted and spilling gallons of accelerant over a parking lot that is bound to see a muffler dragging in with sparks trailing behind it.

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And it's not just this gorgeous new gas station in Battle Creek, either (seriously, it has a Dunkin' and everything); it's nearly every pump in Michigan. So again I ask, in full Michigan dad energy: “Can we make up our minds already?”