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NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Rising gasoline prices are hurting Oklahoma drivers in the wallet and in the gas tank.

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AAA Oklahoma says out-of-gas service calls have risen as the prices have gone up.

"During the first three months of this year, Oklahoma's average pump price for self-serve regular shot up 55 cents per gallon, a jump of almost 19 percent," said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. "At the same time, first quarter calls to AAA from Oklahoma members who ran out of fuel rose 13 percent compared to 2010."

Mai says the auto club responded to 1,053 out-of-gas service calls statewide during the first quarter of this year, compared to 931 during the same period of 2010.

"It appears more and more of us are betting that gas prices will come down before time for that next fill-up. Sometimes we cut it too close," said Chuck Mai. "But letting your vehicle regularly run on an almost-empty tank can cause even more wallet damage."

AAA has the following tips for drivers: 

• Don't let your fuel level dip below a quarter of a tank.
• Don't touch or pump the gas pedal repeatedly when tying to start a vehicle that has run out of gas.
• Drive as fuel efficiently as possible by adopting a gentler driving style, slowing down, and avoiding slamming on the brakes or accelerating suddenly.
• Check gas prices station-by-station by using AAA's free Fuel Price Finder online at www.aaaoklahoma.com. Click on Fuel News & Tools in the AAA News & Safety section.