According to a contemporary article in The Hollywood Reporter, RKO purchased the film rights to the story by Oscar Brodney specifically as a vehicle for Leon Errol.
Gasoline rationing in the U.S. during WWII was established nationwide by December 1942. The primary reason was not to save gas, but to save rubber for tires as Japan had cut off ninety percent of the natural rubber supply and the manufacturing capacity of synthetic rubber would not meet the demand. Deemed a non-essential worker, Mr. Fowler would have been issued an "A" rationing sticker for his car's windshield, and ration coupons allowing him to buy three or four gallons of gas a week. Also part of this effort was a nationwide speed limit of 35 miles per hour.