With peak driving season upon us, how are record prices at pump affecting you?
Tell us how high gas prices are affecting your driving plans and habits.
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Gasoline crimes are on the rise as the price at the pumps continues to rise.
In Des Moines, police report an increase in drive-offs and gas siphoning. There's also an increase in the stolen license plates that appear to be tied to high prices.
Officials say if someone steals the tags, then steals gasoline, the plates won't match the car the police are looking for.
Authorities in some other Iowa cities say they haven't seen the jump in gas-related crimes as those reported in Des Moines.
Police in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids says there are some drive-offs, but there hasn't been a huge increase.
With the expected Memorial weekend peak for gas and driving, we want to know how higher gas prices are affecting you, in the short and long term. Have you changed or curtailed your plans for the summer? Are you thinking of alternatives for transportation or a more fuel-efficient mode of traveling? Let us know as we continue to cover this story.
Nationally, gasoline has hit another record high. The nationwide Lundberg Survey finds the average price of self-serve regular gasoline his now $3.18 a gallon. That's up more than 11 cents from the last survey two weeks ago.
The latest price beats the previous inflation-adjusted record of $3.15 per gallon in March 1981.
Nationwide, the lowest average price for regular fuel is $2.87 in Charleston, South Carolina, and the highest was in Chicago at $3.59. Gas prices in Quincy this weekend were reported from $3.27 to $3.37.
Oil prices continue to rise on concerns that U.S. refiners aren't producing enough gasoline to meet peak summer demand. The summer driving season begins this weekend with the Memorial Day holiday.
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