Latest news with #MarkJenkins
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Florida drivers paying lowest gas prices in 2 months. Here's what you'll see at the pump.
With ample oil supplies, Florida drivers have gotten a break at the pump, but it's unclear how long that will last. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas on Sunday in Florida was $2.94. That's down 14 cents from a week earlier, 2 cents below last month and 58 cents less than this time last year, according to the AAA. "This season's lower pump prices are due to an abundance of supply in the oil market," the auto club said in a statement. However, AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins suggested the price "break may not last much longer" amid signs on the broader market. "Gas prices in Florida often follow a pattern of falling for about 10 days, then spiking by as much as 20 cents," Jenkins said in a statement. "With oil and gasoline futures climbing again, it's likely we'll see upward pressure on retail prices in the coming days." Over the past two weeks, the U.S. price for crude oil rose 4%, while gasoline futures climbed 10 cents per gallon. Traders are closely watching developments amid speculation that President Trump may implement additional sanctions targeting Russian energy exports which could further constrain international supply lines and impact fuel prices worldwide, according to AAA. Gas prices across Florida In Miami-Dade on Monday, the average price for regular unleaded was $2.95 a gallon, down 12 cents from the week before. In Broward, the average was $2.93 a gallon, down 17 cents from last week. Florida's most expensive metro areas for gas include West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.10), Gainesville ($3.06) and Sebring ($3.02). The cheapest markets are Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.83), Melbourne-Titusville ($2.84), Panama City ($2.85). Tips for saving at the pump AAA encourages drivers to combine errands, drive conservatively, remove excess vehicle weight, shop around using the AAA mobile app, and consider paying with cash to avoid credit card surcharges.
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Are you complying with this new Florida driving law? See what's required
See that police car on the side of the highway? You'll need to move over a lane or slow down as you pass it. But did you know that Florida's Move Over law expanded in 2024 to include all vehicles? Roadway signs across the state still focus on emergency vehicles — including police cars, fire trucks and Road Rangers, the crews that help stranded drivers with a flat tire or a dead battery. But the Move Over law now requires drivers to switch lanes or slow down for any vehicle stopped on the side of the highway. Here's what to know: What the expanded Move Over law covers Under the expanded law, drivers must move over to avoid any vehicle stopped on the side of the road, not just emergency vehicles used by police, Road Rangers, emergency crews or construction vehicles, according to the bill's analysis. The expanded law covers: ▪ Disabled motor vehicles that are stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights. ▪ A vehicle that is stopped and using emergency flares or posting emergency signs. ▪ A vehicle that is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present. What do drivers have to do? To comply with the law, which is designed to save lives and help avoid crashes, drivers in Florida must do what they've been doing for emergency or public service vehicles for nearly 25 years. ▪ Move out of the lane closest to the disabled vehicle when driving on highways or streets with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the stopped vehicle. ▪ If drivers can't safely make that move, they must slow to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted limit is 25 mph or greater. Or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less. What if you break the law? You will pay a fine if caught. A violation of the Move Over Law is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation, according to the state. The statutory base fine is $60 but with additional fees and surcharges, the total penalty may be up to $158, the bill says. KNOW MORE: Should you speed up on I-95 entrance ramp? Do you have to stop at light? What laws say What officials have to say about Move Over Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2021, there were 191 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for drivers failing to move over in Florida. From 2016-2020, an average of nearly 350 people per year were struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside, AAA said in a media release applauding the Florida Move Over law expansion. 'AAA has advocated for a stronger move over law through our 'Move Over for Me' campaign, and are glad to see it come to fruition,' AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said as the new law took effect. 'The roadside is a dangerous place for anyone, whether it's a first responder or a daily commuter. We hope this enhancement to the current law will save lives by reminding drivers to give extra space when passing anyone on the roadside.'
CBS News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Florida gas prices shot up double digits last week. Here's how much you'll pay at the pump.
Florida gas prices rose 20 cents last week as drivers prepared to hit the road for Independence Day, but eased back 6 cents before the weekend, AAA reported Monday. Despite the uptick, holiday travelers found the lowest Independence Day gas prices since 2021. On July 4, Florida gas prices averaged $3.11 per gallon – 42 cents less than 2024's holiday rate, and 15 cents below what drivers paid on Independence Day 2023, according to AAA.. On Sunday, the state average dropped to $3.08 per gallon, up 12 cents from the week before. "Lower oil prices helped make this Independence Day one of the most affordable in recent years. In Florida, however, prices continue to fluctuate week to week, as local stations adjust prices to remain competitive with nearby retailers," Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA, said in a statement. When prices reach a low that's no longer profitable, retailers raise them back up. Jenkins said this strategy has fueled short-term volatility at the pump, even as national prices and other drivers are relatively stable. Gas prices across Florida Florida's most expensive metro areas for gas include West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.25), Naples ($3.16), and Sebring ($3.13). The cheapest markets are Panama City ($2.85), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.79) and Pensacola ($2.88). Tips for saving at the pump AAA encourages drivers to combine errands, drive conservatively, remove excess vehicle weight, shop around using the AAA mobile app, and consider paying with cash to avoid credit card surcharges. AAA members can also save by enrolling in gas rewards programs, such as Shell's Fuel Rewards or discounts at Love's Travel Stops. Travelers can find updated gas prices and plan routes using AAA's tools at
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Gas prices are up by double digits in Florida. Search for cheapest in your area
Gas prices have jumped again this week in Florida. The cost of gas is up by 10 cents a gallon in the state, including South Florida. But prices in the Miami area are about the same from a month ago and stand 43 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. North Florida remains the cheapest to get gas in the state. Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas. 'Lower oil prices helped make this Independence Day one of the most affordable in recent years,' said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. 'In Florida, however, prices continue to fluctuate week to week, as local stations adjust prices to remain competitive with nearby retailers. When prices eventually reach a low that's no longer profitable, retailers raise them back up. This strategy has fueled short-term volatility at the pump — even as national prices and other drivers relatively stable.' Here's what to know if you're commuting or traveling in Florida: Gas prices in South Florida ▪ Miami-Dade: The average price: $3.06 on Monday, July 7, according to GasBuddy's survey of nearly 1,700 stations in the region. Cheapest gas in the Miami area is $2.59and the most expensive $4.19. ▪ Fort Lauderdale: $3.09, according to AAA. ▪ West Palm Beach/Boca Raton: $3.24, according to AAA. Florida price at the pump Average: The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida on Monday, July 7, according to AAA, is $3.06 Gas prices around Florida Prices on Monday, July 7, according to AAA: Bradenton/Sarasota: $3.03 Daytona Beach: $3.06 Fort Myers: $3.08 Fort Walton Beach: $2.79 Gainesville: $3.12 Jacksonville: $3.05 Lakeland: $3.08 Naples: $3.14 Orlando: $3.05 Panama City: $2.84 Pensacola: $2.87 Port St. Lucie: $3.07 Space Coast: $3.03 Tallahassee: $2.95 Tampa/St. Pete: $3.08 Villages: $3.08 U.S. price at the pump Average: The average price for a gallon of gas across the country on Monday, July 7, according to AAA, was $3.14 What the experts are saying ▪ Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy: 'Nearly every state saw average gas prices decline for the second straight week, even as the nation celebrated July 4 with the lowest national average for Independence Day since 2020. That downward momentum may continue, as OPEC's weekend decision to boost production by a larger-than-expected 548,000 barrels per day in August adds further pressure to oil prices— potentially accelerating supply builds. If tensions in the Middle East remain contained and the Gulf is spared from major hurricanes, the odds are improving that the national average could dip below $3 per gallon later this summer, but in the meantime we could see the national average falling to its lowest summer level since the pandemic.' How to find cheap gas near you There's an app to help: The GasBuddy app was built to show motorists prices around them and a fuel tracker can update users on stations that have or don't have fuel based on supply changes.
CBS News
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Florida gas prices soar by double digits amid Iran-Israel conflict, AAA says
Florida drivers are paying more at the pump after a volatile week in oil markets. According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Florida rose 16 cents from the previous week, settling at $3.11 on Sunday. Prices had briefly dipped to $2.95 on Wednesday — Florida's lowest average since May 10 — but then surged to $3.15 by Thursday, the highest price recorded since early May. Global conflict fuels oil market uncertainty The latest price hike comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to rattle energy markets. U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran's subsequent threats to retaliate, including potentially closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, have caused oil prices to swing. The strait, responsible for about 20% of global oil trade, remains open as Iran's Supreme National Security Council has not yet finalized the Parliament's vote to block it. However, the uncertainty alone has impacted markets. Crude oil closed Friday at $74.93 per barrel, up nearly $2 from the prior week. Overnight trading saw prices fluctuate between $74 and $77 — a significant climb compared to May's $60 average. AAA: Expect more volatility if tensions persist "Drivers in the U.S. could see higher prices at the pump if tensions persist or if oil flows are disrupted," said Mark Jenkins, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "So far, the impact has been measured, but market watchers are keeping a close eye on how things unfold in the coming days." Where prices are highest and lowest in Florida Some Florida metro areas are feeling the price pressure more than others. Most expensive gas prices in Florida: West Palm Beach–Boca Raton: $3.27 Naples: $3.18 Gainesville: $3.18 Least expensive gas prices in Florida: Crestview–Fort Walton Beach: $2.90 Panama City: $2.93 Pensacola: $2.96 Tips to save money at the pump AAA recommends drivers take the following steps to reduce fuel costs: Combine errands to limit drive time Avoid rapid acceleration and speeding Remove unnecessary weight from vehicles Use the AAA mobile app to compare prices locally Pay with cash to avoid card surcharges
