By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – With continuing turmoil stirring in the Middle East and northern African nations, the world’s oil supply is in a state of flux and prices continue to soar to their highest numbers since 2008.

As oil prices jump to more than $100 a barrel, residents throughout the country are now beginning to see a sharp spike at the gas pump, with prices averaging at about $3.50 per gallon.

Although prices locally are not nearly as high as the national average, people are still looking for ways to minimize consumption to ease the pain at the pump. With that in mind, L’Observateur last week asked visitors to it’s website how rising gas prices would affect driving habits.

More than 45 percent of those who responded said they would make an effort to cut down on any unnecessary driving. Another third of those who voted said they would consolidate their schedules in order to do more errands at the same time or on the same day.

A smaller percentage of the voters said they would use alternative sources of transportation, including riding a bike or walking. Others said they would look to public transportation, but with only limited offerings in the River Parishes, only about two percent of the vote went to that option.

Finally, there is still a considerable amount of residents who say the rising prices would have no effect on driving habits. More than 10 percent said they would not change their habits in the wake of higher prices.

A complete breakdown of the results follows:

• 47 percent of respondents said “I will cut down on unnecessary driving.”

• 33 percent of respondents said “I will try to do all my errands at the same time.”

• 13 percent of respondents said “It will have no effect on my driving habits.”

• 4 percent of respondents said “I will walk or ride a bike more often.”

• 2 percent of respondents said “I will try to take more public transportation.”