Number one: very simply, we are starting from a higher level. We are about 30 to 40 cents higher in terms of the cost of a gallon of gasoline this year than we were at the same time last year. So we’re going up, but we’re going up from a higher base,” says Dr. Walden, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension specialist.

“But secondly, unlike last year when the economy was actually fairly robust and actually picking up steam, this year all signs –- I mean, all signs –- are pointing to a slow down in the economy, and this is really apart from gas prices,” he adds.

“It primarily has to do with higher interest rates -– and actually by design from the Federal Reserve, who wants to slow the economy down. So we don’t have that strong economic growth that we had last year to cushion the impact of higher gas prices.

“So I think those higher prices could be more dangerous economically speaking this year than last year.”