I can still remember how violently ill I got each time I would fill up my gas tank earlier this year. Over $50 per tank, and I drive a small car that gets pretty good gas mileage. Luckily, for now at least, those days are over.

Nobody can deny the atrocious state that the economy is in. However, it has resulted in lower gas prices. Earlier this year, gas was well over $4 per gallon in Sacramento. As of mid-December, it is hovering around the $1.60 mark.

You can hear the talk of people saying they can fill up their cars for under $20 again. Keep in mind, in December 2007, the average cost for a gallon of gas in California was just over $3, according to californiagasprices.com.

What affect does this have on the economy?

When gas prices were higher earlier this year, retailers would use special promotions on shipping such as low flat-rate shipping and even free shipping, to help benefit the customer, according to emarketingandcommerce.com.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accounts for 40 percent of the global supply. They plan on cutting production, according to Yahoo! news. The price of oil has dropped 65 percent since July, at a price of $40.50 a barrel.

OPEC expects crude oil to continue its slide, potentially going as low as $30 a barrel, according to Yahoo! news.

Nevertheless, this is a trend that is refreshing to see. We’re able to take more road trips without feeling the guilt we did when gas was over $4/gal. But in regards to economics, we can’t have it both ways. It comes down to supply and demand, and at some point we’re going to start demanding more, therefore driving prices back up.

For the time being, it feels good to be able to drive again without keeping such a close eye on the gas gauge. How long will the prices keep dropping? The economy doesn’t seem to be making very much progress these days.

Kyle Kershner can be reached at [email protected]