As gas prices hit record highs across the country the pain at the pumps is taking a toll on almost everyone's pocketbook.
It's forcing many Canadians to change their summer travel plans and put the brakes on their spending habits. Gas topped $1.43 a litre in some parts of the country and if you have to pay for premium fuel you are looking at up to another 20 cents a litre more. Some of the drivers we spoke to at the pumps expressed frustration.
"I'm a single mother and these high prices are taking away money from my children's activities," said one motorist.
Another driver told Â鶹´«Ã½ that "filling up this van is killing me. It now costs $90 to fill the tank so there is no way I have extra money to pay my kid's allowances."
Another driver told us she is planning to change her summer vacation plans.
"We had planned to take a drive to the East Coast this year -- but with gas prices as high as they are, we decided we won't be going."
High gas prices are driving up the sale of compact, more fuel efficient cars. A Scotia Bank Economics report found the sale of small cars in April jumped by 23 per cent over the same period last year. Sales of small cars in the U.S. have jumped by 40 per cent.
Scooter sales are also on the rise -- as much as 50 per cent over the same period last year. Motorcycle sales have jumped by 7 per cent as commuters look for cheaper gas saving alternatives.
Canadians living near the U.S. border are crossing over to buy gasoline. Many says they are also driving less, using public transportation and changing travel plans to eliminate long trips.
Unfortunately high prices also bring out the worst in people. Across the country gas "pump and run" thefts are on the rise, as well as gas siphoning and thieves drilling into fuel tanks. In Moncton, N.B., one gas retailer has posted pictures online of a man suspected of fuel theft. The same retailer also placed a sign at the road asking that the thief stop stealing gas from him.
One other note -- you may be tempted to squeeze every last drop out of your gas tank before filling up, but running out of gas can damage your fuel pump and lead to expensive repairs. It's recommended you keep at least a quarter tank of fuel in your tank to keep the fuel pump submerged and cool. Also, when you let your tank run low you run the risk of your fuel pump sucking up debris and sediment in the tank.
Keeping gas in the tank can also prevent you from running out if you have to make an emergency trip or get stuck in heavy traffic.
