For North Atlanta drivers, there is already enough stress with the frantic race out of the parking deck and distracted peers behind the wheel without the additional pressure of rising gas prices. Nevertheless, national gas prices are creeping towards an average of five dollars, and while Georgia prices are currently the lowest in the country, they still strain drivers throughout the state. For NAHS students, increased spending proves to be especially troubling. Let’s get this show on the road and see what the Dubs think!
The national spike in gas prices, 49% higher than this time last year, arose from the ongoing conflict in Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, the 20% of global oil exports that travel through it have been reduced to around four ships per day, severely decreasing the transit of oil and gas and causing the international price to skyrocket. If the strait is closed for another month, gas prices will surge over five dollars throughout the nation, causing Atlanta’s car-oriented culture to suffer the consequences. Junior Frances Paulic is worried about the prices’ consistent upward trend. “It’s very frustrating because we all need cars to get around in Atlanta,” she said.
Surprisingly, Georgia’s gas prices are among the lowest in the country, although they are still averaging around $4. Georgia House Bill 1199 has suspended the state gas tax, which saves about 33 cents per gallon; however, it is currently set to expire on May 19, meaning Georgians may see their prices jump in another week. For NAHS students, budgets can be especially tight, so the soaring prices can cause plenty of issues. Even for students whose parents pay for gas, these new expenses are unhelpful. Junior Cameron Wilson acknowledges the strain of allocating more money towards gas. “I will be walking, thank you, and definitely thinking about cars with better gas mileage,” he said.
With gas spending increasing, Georgians are having to change their habits to adapt. Throughout the country, restaurant consumer traffic has declined dramatically, and the impact is being doubled as prices rise above four dollars. Thousands of dollars are being reallocated towards gas spending instead of indulgence, reducing America’s economic growth and worsening inflation. With individual gas trips costing between $50 and $100, it is not surprising that students are having to put more thought into how they spend their money, as Wilson is well aware. “I decided to drive my mom’s hybrid instead of refueling—the prices were too scary!” he said.
Whether or not the expense is coming out of the Dubs’ pockets, rising gas prices have forced students to shift gears. With the prices unlikely to decrease soon, students are becoming increasingly aware of how they need to adapt to compensate for the current economy.
