For many of us, the upcoming Labor Day weekend means that it’s time to pack up the car and make one last attempt to saver what’s left of the summer. It’s time for a road trip. But as we all think about hitting the road—and for good reason—we need to be cognizant of the increasing incidences of violence at gas stations. It may not be readily apparent to all of us, but gas stations are, in fact, one of the most dangerous places that we frequent.

Too often, gas station operators pay little attention to safety, and through the occasional surveillance camera or bright light over the pumps, lull us into a false sense of security. In reality, as we exit our cars to fill up the tank, or run into the convenience store for a quick snack and drink, we leave ourselves vulnerable to attack. Particularly in high-crime areas, criminals target gas stations, and wait for unsuspecting customers so they can pounce. Robberies, shootings, car thefts, are all far too common—and far more common than most realize.