Everyone who drives a motor vehicle is frustrated because of rising gas prices. People are taking both the state and federal government to task for not intervening and taking measures to curb the rising prices; or do something, anything, to roll them back. It is perhaps more difficult for some of us from the Caribbean to understand this conundrum, as many are accustomed to blocking roads, and otherwise demonstrating in mass protests, thus ensuring that their government roll back high gas prices.

However, let’s be realistic. The problem of gas prices is not one which the government in Tallahassee or in Washington D.C. can solve. Yes, the government can do something to ease our “pain at the pump,” but whatever is done can only be temporary. For example, President Bush is seeking to reverse tax breaks to oil companies, and has ordered an investigation into price gouging. The Democrats in Congress want to suspend the federal sales tax on gasoline for 60 days, while taxing oil companies more. This is well and good. But, what happens after those 60 days. Neither that measure, nor reversing tax breaks to oil and energy companies is really going to reduce the price of oil on the international market.

These measures, acceptable as they may be, are not going to prevent the gas prices rising again when these measures expire. We must take sensible measures to conserve gasoline.

The factors affecting gasoline prices are those of demand and supply. We are demanding too much gasoline. This high demand is choking off supply and keeping prices high. America will soon be unable to compete with China in demanding oil, compounding the problem. Ironically, the good news is that although gas prices are high, we can buy as much gas as we want. The bad news is that if supply shrinks we will be living in a nightmare of gas shortage and long gas lines.

It is therefore important that demand be kept in check. This has to be done by applying very strict conservation policies. The production of vehicles that consume large volumes of gasoline must be stopped. Although there was a severe oil and gas crisis in the 1970’s, and the writing was on the wall, no planning went into implementing conservation measures. Instead, car manufacturers were allowed to produce and market sport utility vehicles (SUV’S) that consume large volumes of gasoline, instead of concentrating on more economical sedans. These vehicles, which cost an average of $16 more to fill-up than smaller sedans, are sucking up too much of the supply of gasoline. This demand helps to push up the price of gas. Production and sales of these vehicles must stop!

In the gas crisis of the 70’s, speed limits were strictly enforced. The limit on highways was 55 mph. By strict monitoring of this speed limit gas was conserved. This has to be reintroduced.

Limits must be placed on the amount of gas that consumers can purchase at any one time. During Hurricane Wilma last year people were happy to purchase gasoline, although the amount they could purchase was limited. This too may have to be reintroduced.

Then, developers are building suburbs far away from cities where many people are employed. The city planners paid aljost no attention to the need for public transportation. People in places like Atlanta and South Florida commute several miles, often in congested traffic to and from work. Long distance commutes are another source of high gasoline demand. There’s an urgent need for public transportation.

For decades, we have heard politicians and executives responsible for energy conservation and alternative sources speak about more efficient fuel, but nothing happens. It is all talk and all about production of prototypes, such as the battery car and the hydrogen car. To date, there has not been a meaningful alternative to gas fueled vehicles that has a long-term production plan.

Unless meaningful conservation plans are implemented, and adhered to, there will always be an upside down, where the demand for gas outstrips the supply, resulting in high prices. The gas crisis is like that of crime. More jails are built to incarcerate criminals, without eradicating the social problems that breed crime. Likewise, we continue to bellyache about gas prices, without trying to eradicate the problems that cause prices to be so high.

The truth is we use too much gasoline. We drive too fast; too powerful cars; our commute is too long; and there are too many short-sighted town planners who never understood that effective public transportation would be a significant economic tool in the long run.

The solution to this mess with gasoline prices is not a temporary fix. The answer is conservation, real belly tightening conservation, and real serious planning by the non-oil producing countries to quickly find an efficient and cheap alternative source to oil and gasoline.

Sad, but for the next several years we have no alternative, but to continue depending on the oil producing countries, and when they say jump, we will continue to ask, “How high.” Let’s rephrase that. When they jump their oil prices, our oil companies, our gas stations, will decide how high.

We are realists, and the real deal is that until we get serious and start to be proactive instead of reacting in spurts, gas prices will continue its upward trend.