Fighting high prices at the pump

Want to cringe every time you pull up to the pump?
Gas prices will do that to you. The national average has surged to more than 40 cents higher than at the start of the year.

Chad Ingram with AAA Alabama says this is the sign of the season but even with that, he says these prices are unjustified.

Right now global demand is up but U.S. demand is way down according to Ingram. Ingram says what is having the biggest impact on the increase is you.

"The biggest factor is the fact that we are not price shopping," said Ingram.

Price shopping is exactly as it sounds; looking for the best price and pumping at that station and Ingram says we are terrible at it.

"That just really is a license for these big oil companies to charge us really what they want to charge as long as were not careful about what we are paying that’s just a blank heck for these oil companies to price it at whatever they care to,” said Ingram.

There are some tools at your disposal. Like the app that tells you current gas prices in your area.

Also, Ingram says look for unbranded stations.

"Typically these unbranded stations typically sell branded gas that is surplus gas so they might have one brand one week and another brand the next week and they are usually a little bit cheaper and that makes a difference and that’s what we need to be on the lookout for,” said Ingram.

Ingram says consumers really can have an impact on prices.

"If we get enough people participating it will put tremendous amount of pressure," said Ingram.

Ingram says an area where American’s are striving is cutting fuel consumption but there is always room to improve.

Make sure your car is running smoothly and your tires are fully inflated and try and carpool.

If you have two cars in your household, choose to drive the more fuel efficient of the two whenever possible. Also, consolidate your errands.

"If you can just incorporate really just a few of these they really can add up a make a big difference," said Ingram.

The good news is, Ingram doesn’t see any reason why gas prices should keep climbing.

"I think we are actually about to hit a little bit of a plateau where we will see these prices level off and we may even se these prices drop off a little bit in the next few weeks next few months,” said Ingram.