By Jaci Schneider, Staff Writer

Students are not changing their driving habits even though gas prices are higher than ever in Texas and show no indication of leveling off.

Gas stations near campus display prices of at least $1.60 a gallon. Those prices, however, are lower than the national average of $1.80, according to AAA.

Chad Carnes, sophomore accounting and finance major from Tracy, Calif., said gas seems cheap in Abilene.

“I don’t like it, but I was paying $1.67 two years ago,” he said. “It’s like $2.11 at home, and that’s at the cheap places.”

However, Carnes said, the high gas prices will not affect his summer plans.

“I’ll drive the same amount,” he said. “You don’t really realize how much more you’re spending because it’s just a couple of bucks every time you fill up.”

Gas prices are rising because demand is high worldwide, according to the automobile association. The average in Texas was $1.69 last Friday; Dallas drivers are paying the most, averaging $1.70 per gallon.

“It’s ridiculous and really not good for my finances,” said Brandi McClain, junior English major from Henderson. However, she said her driving habits probably will not change much as prices rise.

“I’ll still have to go to work across town, so I’ll still have to keep buying gas,” she said. “But I’ll do what I can to conserve.”

Higher crude oil prices have resulted from oil cartel OPEC’s decisions to cut production, according to CNN’s Web site. Uncertainty over Iraq’s oil production and strong world demand also contribute to the increase.

“It cost me $30 to fill up my truck,” said Kyle Griffith, sophomore sociology and criminal justice major from Houston. But he also said the expense of gas will not affect his driving habits.

“It won’t really matter, especially with the summer coming up and living in Houston and working,” he said. “Most of my paycheck goes into gas, but they usually take that into account.

“Gas is a necessity,” he said.