How Can Motorists Find Relief from Record High Gas Prices

BY JANA TIDWELL

Records are meant to be broken. However, not every broken record is a good thing. A 14-year record high average gas price record was shattered in June. In Delaware, the previous record high gas price of $4.06/ gal, set back in June 2008 was broken when prices hit $4.99/gal on June 14. The previous national record high average gas price of $4.11/gal, also set in June 2008, was broken when prices hit an average of $5.01/gal, also on June 14.

How are record-high gas prices impacting motorists? A recent AAA poll indicates Delaware drivers are adjusting their daily driving habits to accommodate for record gas prices. Almost 75 percent of Delaware drivers say they have adjusted their daily driving behaviors because of gas prices. More than 44 percent are consolidating or running fewer errands, and more than 54 percent are limiting their driving in any way they can.

AAA’s poll also noted only about half of Delaware drivers say they commute to work. Of those who typically commute, about 20 percent say they try to work from home more often and about 15 percent say they carpool or ride share to work more often. And even though gas prices began to retreat, these adjustments in behavior will likely linger as long as gas prices stay above $4.00/gal, possibly even longer.

Multiple factors determine the fluctuation of prices at the pump—the price of crude oil (50-60 percent of a gallon of gasoline is made of crude oil), refining costs, taxes, supply and demand, international conflict, economic uncertainty, COVID- 19, and hurricane season to name a few.

AAA offers motorists the following tips to help maximize fuel efficiency that can save motorists money in the long run:

• Get your vehicle checked out. Perform regular car maintenance at the intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer in the owner’s manual or as indicated by the in-car maintenance reminder system.

• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease your gas mileage by approximately three percent.

• Know your octane. Do not purchase mid-grade or premium gas unless your owner’s manual specifically recommends it. According to AAA research, Americans waste more than $2.1 billion annually on premium gas in vehicles designed to run on regular fuel.

• Avoid idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Letting your vehicle idle for more than 10 seconds uses more gas than shutting it off and restarting.

• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 15¢ per gallon of gas. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas, lowering your gas by 33 percent at highway speeds and by five percent around town.

• Consolidate trips. Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money.

• Gas discount programs. Take advantage of wholesale and grocery retailer gas discount programs. AAA Members who join Shell Fuel Rewards® by December 31, 2022 and make your first transaction within 30 days of joining get automatic Gold Status, saving 30¢ per gallon on the first fill up and save 5¢/gal every day on each individual fill up of up to 20 gallons from participating Shell stations.

Jana Tidwell is the manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.