news-record.com

Gas prices in the Triad dropped below $2 a gallon at some stations Friday, a figure not seen in these parts since March, 2005.

As the global economy has gone into the tank, it means that motorists have paid less for the gas that goes in theirs.

The price declines have been dramatic.

In the Triad, motorist paid nearly $2 a gallon less on Friday for gas than they did two months ago, when Hurricane Ike disrupted supplies to North Carolina and sent gas prices to a record average of $4.11.

Locally, prices have dropped for 58 days in a row and now average $2.14 a gallon.

"I don't recall a decline that sustained and that large," said Carol Gifford, public relations manager for AAA Carolinas in Charlotte. "All that is based on the grim economic outlook."

The recent declines mean that a fill-up now costs motorists about $30 to $36 less than it did in mid September.

On Friday, greensborogasbuddy.com reported that a Citgo station at 8400 Norcross Road and Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax had gas for $1.99.

The gas finder Web site indicated that station in Thomasville posted gas for $1.90. Several in Lexington had prices as low as $1.95.