Are We Paying Too LITTLE for Gas?

Could it be? Are Americans enjoying the second-lowest gasoline prices in the world just after oil-exporting Mexico?  We are, says Randy Salzman, a transportation management researcher and author of the upcoming book, "Yes We Can: Getting Americans to Back Away From the Steering Wheel."

In Sunday's New York Times, Salzman contends that while oil costs the same around the world, other nations put higher fees on gas consumption.

However, a cruise around Burlingame for the sole purpose of observing gas prices may lead drivers to think otherwise.

The lowest gas price we found on Monday was at Eagle Gasoline and Car Wash at 177 California Drive with a gallon of regular gas going for $4.24. Other low prices can be found at L and S Auto Care at 1100 Broadway ($4.26/gallon) and Arco at 1000 Broadway ($4.27/gallon). With prices like these, it's tough to feel "lucky" about our pump prices.

Salzman says that if we'd use our cars smarter, we'd avoid a host of gas-guzzling related problems, not the least of which is keeping our children's children from fighting wars in the Middle East.

And many of us make a conserted effort to do just that---we drive hybrids, we carpool, we bike/walk, we take public transportation, and some of us work from home. But despite our best conservation efforts, we are still a car culture and will pay whatever is asked at the pump.

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