1.   Drivers were irked by the higher gasoline prices.

2.   Although Big Oil is under Justice Department investigation for price collusion, the sleuths seeking an explanation for higher gasoline prices have been looking in the wrong places.

3.   Analysts have also cited higher gasoline and utility costs, higher interest rates and stock market uncertainty in predicting slower sales.

4.   And the higher gasoline prices, he said, will further drive up the prices of oil stocks.

5.   A higher gasoline tax would just mean prices would not drop quite as far as they would otherwise.

6.   Also calming concern on Wednesday, the Department of Energy said higher gasoline imports from Europe would help moderate prices this summer.

7.   But automakers oppose curbing gasoline consumption through higher gasoline taxes or tighter fuel-economy standards.

8.   But despite the rise, caused largely by higher gasoline prices, the report showed that the underlying rate of consumer inflation remained in check.

9.   But few drivers seem to be concerned now about the possibility of higher gasoline prices in the summer.

10.   But there has been little public support for higher gasoline taxes.