Gas prices on the rise and no end in sight

3/20/08

By Jennifer Ingram
Critic Staff

Rising gas prices are yet one more obstacle in the way of getting an education for a single mother and student at LSC.

“The increase in gasoline prices is ridiculous. It makes attending college as a single mother commuter very difficult. It’s one more obstacle in getting an education,” Audrey Perry, a senior majoring in early childhood and elementary education, said.

It is costing everyone a small fortune to fill up their gas tanks. In the Northeast Kingdom the average price for one gallon of unleaded gas is between $3.22 and $3.29.

The increases in gasoline prices are hitting many people hard. “I am not traveling as much as I normally would due to the increase in gasoline prices, Jennifer Lavoie, a transfer student, who is majoring in nursing, said.

According to USA Today, “gasoline prices are predicted to increase another 24 cents a gallon in the next few days, as the USA scrambles to keep up with big jumps in the prices of oil and wholesale gas.”

Many students are making sacrifices in order to afford gas and to continue to further their education. “I bought a “new” car that is better on gas. Any money I make goes into savings in order to afford the 45 minute commute five days a week from Bradford to Lyndon State,” Perry said.

As the warm weather approaches the gasoline prices are expected to increase due to the fact that it will increase demand with no end in sight.

Gas saving tips from ABC News.com:

1. “Stay in Tune – Make sure that your vehicle has routine maintenance checks. Vehicle maintenance saves gas. Use the recommended motor oil, replace dirty air filters, keep tires -- including the spare -- inflated to the proper pressure, and tune up your engine.”

2. “Cool it—Drive at a consistent speed. By accelerating at a fast speed at every green light, then slamming on the brakes at the last minute, uses more gas. By driving at a consistent speed can save over 30 percent of the gasoline you use.”

3. “Lighten Up – When traveling keep the luggage off the roof rack and carry as little weight as possible. The extra pounds in the trunk or backseat make the engine work harder and consume more fuel.”

4. “Lose the Lead foot – By driving the speed limit you can save up to 14 percent of your gas.”

5.”Take a Cruise -- Using cruise control keeps you at a consistent speed rate and can save on fuel.”