While the price of groceries and dining out are still inflated, students and DeKalb residents can finally catch a break at the gas pump.

Various gas stations in DeKalb have dropped their prices to as low as $2.83, with the highest still under $3.00 a gallon and falling over the past few weeks.

Abnormally low crude-oil prices and the decreasing demand for gasoline are the main factors causing gas prices to drop as low as they were a year ago.

NIU Transportation Manager Bill Finucane said other factors also contribute to the price drop.

Finucane said hurricanes like Ike and Gustav caused refineries to close, which caused prices to spike. With the hurricanes farther away, refineries are getting back to capacity, and gas prices are reflecting that.

Also, if the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reduces its raw product, prices should be expected to fall even more, he said.

Regardless of what caused the still-declining gas prices, everyone is reaping the benefits without complaint. Kristi Cole, junior business marketing major, is one of many students that is pleased with the cheaper gas prices.

“It’s awesome to see gas prices so much lower,” Cole said. “It’s nice because now I have more money for other things, and I don’t feel nearly as guilty using my car.”

Communications instructor Aimee Larry is anticipating much lower prices.

“It’s about time prices dropped, but they still haven’t dropped far enough,” Larry said. “They still need to drop a lot further to make me happy and resume my previous driving habits.”

But with all the excitement of cheaper gas, Americans wonder if the low prices will stay.

If oil prices stay the same or drop further, gas prices will be maintained and consumers will continue to benefit from the little economic relief. But regardless of the fluctuating oil prices, everyone can help prevent the threat of a price increase.

“Prices will stay down if people just reduce the number of miles they are driving and conserve gas,” Finucane said. “Everyone can do this by making sure their tires are inflated and watching their driving habits.”