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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 12, 2005 Driving habits steer gas prices below $3 By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune After hovering at $3 a gallon for more than a month, gas prices dropped 10 cents almost overnight at many stations in Jackson County. Referring to his customers, Terry Tarton, manager of the Eagle Point Arco AM/PM, said, "They’re going to be thrilled with any savings at the pump." His station posted a price of $2.86 cents for a gallon of regular. Many stations in the valley lowered their prices to $2.90 a gallon by Tuesday. Tarton said Arco stations, owned by British Petroleum, generally run a few cents less than other brands because his company doesn’t buy foreign oil. "They own the wells," he said. "They don’t buy from anybody." Advertisement Elliott Eki, spokesman for AAA, said prices have dropped throughout the country with only three states still above $3 a gallon — North Carolina, Hawaii and the District of Columbia. High prices have resulted in less demand, with consumption dropping 2.6 percent nationally during the past four weeks compared to the same period last year. "It’s a strong indicator that people have changed their driving habits in general," he said. However, with winter weather already blasting Colorado, Eki said greater demands for home heating oil could put the brakes on the gas price slide. "The good news is the prices are going down, but for how long depends on the weather," he said. AAA’s fuel gauge report still showed the average price of a gallon of regular at $2.98 Tuesday in the Medford-Ashland area, apparently not reflecting the most recent price drops. A year ago, gas cost $2.12 locally. Jackson County continues to lead the state, charging prices of up to 30 cents more than other metropolitan areas, according to the latest AAA figures. The average for the state was $2.79 Tuesday, with Salem offering the lowest price at $2.68. Nationally, the average was $2.87 compared to $1.91 a year ago. The national average price for regular peaked at $3.05 on Sept. 5. In this area, the highest price was $3.07 on Sept. 4. Eki said it’s difficult to say how low prices will settle out during the winter months. One thing is for certain, he said. "Prices seem to go down an awful lot slower than they go up." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Driving habits steer gas prices below $3 ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s