When gas prices soar, slowing down can save
With gas prices soaring, many people in North Carolina are wondering how high prices will effect their pocketbooks long-term. Experts say there's no telling how high prices will go or when the price climb will end.
Posted — UpdatedAccording to AAA, gas prices are up nearly 90 cents from this time last year, primarily due to unrest in the Middle East, which contributes to speculation about the price of crude oil.
Experts also say prices tend to increase as the weather gets warmer.
"It's hard to say how high they're going to get," said AAA spokeswoman Wendy Hommelsheim.
She offered one piece of advice to make costs more bearable – slow down.
"For every 5 miles that you drive over the speed limit of a speed of 65, you decrease your gas mileage by 10 percent. So, a little lighter foot on the gas pedal helps," she said.
At gas stations around Raleigh, prices were as high as $3.79 a gallon for regular, unleaded fuel.
"They're really expensive. I could get $10 and fill up half a tank, but now it doesn't get me anywhere," said Raleigh driver Melanie Augustine.
It's not just gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, even smaller antique cars can't avoid modern-day prices.
"I think I hit a record recently," said Ed Kantner, who drives a 1965 Austin Healey 3000. "It was close to $40. That's a lot of money for this little car."
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