Gas Prices on the Rise

Ohio gas prices are about 28 cents higher than a year ago as 2012 gets underway.

Monday’s survey from Auto Club AAA put the statewide average price for regular gasoline at $3.40 per gallon, up two cents from last week.  Last year at this time regular was averaging about $3.12 in Ohio.

WHIZ caught up with some drivers feeling the pain at the pump.

"It definitely puts a crimp in your monthly budget," said Erin France of Zanesville.  "I bought this car 12 years ago, and it’s a great little car, but it does run on premium.  Now the car is paid for, so I keep it."

"I actually travel a lot for work," said Kyle McCume of Grove City.  "We have a job in North Baltimore that’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive every day."

"I don’t even look, because it doesn’t matter," said Lorie Mercer of Cambridge.  "I have to have it to do my job, so I have to pay it."

Global tensions have been putting pressure on fuel prices.  Crude oil traded above $100 a barrel last week amid growing trader concern that friction between Iran and western powers could disrupt Middle East oil supplies.  However, some analysts expect that a slowing global economy led by a likely recession in Europe will help pull down oil prices.