ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Gas prices across Georgia are climbing, with the average price for regular gas now sitting above $4 a gallon, according to AAA.

For many families, every trip to the pump is becoming more expensive.

“I think it’s ridiculously high. I feel that at some point I’m going to have to choose between gas and getting all this hair done. At some point, but I’m not there yet” said Angela Sturrup, a resident.

AAA says regular gas in Georgia now averages $4 a gallon. A year ago, the average was a dollar less.

“You already have to pre-plan and reset your budgets nowadays just to be able to get back and forth and pay your bills,” said Jimel Johnson, a resident.

Researchers with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently found lower-income households cut back their gas usage by 7% after the latest energy price surge. Meanwhile, higher-income households barely changed their driving habits at all.

Acts of kindness on the roadside

Marvin Thomas Jr., who works freelance as a roadside assistance worker, says when he gets calls from stranded drivers out of gas, he sometimes pays for the gas himself.

“I don’t like seeing people stranded. And if I can do something to help them, I’m going to do that,” Thomas said.

He says many of the people he meets are already stressed or embarrassed, and he knows that struggle.

“I’ve been there where, you know, you’re not going to know where your next meal is going to be. Or you never know what somebody is going through. And if I can fork out anywhere between $10 to $20, then I’ll do it because I get mine back,” Thomas said.

While gas prices continue to climb, he says small acts of kindness can encourage other people during this time.

“It’s absolutely $0 to be nice. Even if you can’t put gas in someone’s vehicle where they broke down, or if you can’t assist, you can stop and ask,” Thomas said. “You know, people will be searching to rush and pass people. It’s crazy. It doesn’t matter who you are- male or female- you should be able to stop and simply ask, ‘Hey, are you okay?’”

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