WFAA-TV

This sign was a beacon to motorists in Lewisville Tuesday morning.

LEWISVILLE — North Texas motorists can't help but notice that the price of gasoline has plunged below the $2 mark at some area pumps.

But is the drop due to the end of the summer driving season or something else?

Drivers at a RaceTrac station in Lewisville early Tuesday morning were surprised but delighted to be pocketing some extra change after a fill-up. The price per gallon of regular unleaded is 73 cents less than it was just a month ago, according to a fuel gauge survey by the American Automobile Association.

The highest price ever recorded in the Dallas area was $3.01 on the Labor Day weekend last year, according to the AAA.

A new Gallup Poll says a large minority of Americans are suspicious about why gasoline now costs so much less. Forty-two percent of Americans surveyed agreed that the Bush Administration deliberately manipulated the price of gas to decrease before the fall elections.

"That would make sense," said Will Brown, who was filling his tank at the Lewisville station. "There's a lot of other things you read on the Internet and on the news about them doing things, so there's no telling."

The majority of those surveyed—53 percent—disagreed with the premise. "No, I don't believe that," said Aaron Adkins. "There's no conspiracy."

Five percent of those questioned in the Gallup Poll said they had no opinion.

For the record, the White House denies any link between politics and gas prices.

"I'm glad it's down," Brown said. "It's not affecting my wallet as much."

E-mail cvega@wfaa.com