STICKER SHOCK-Brett Doherty, a Moorpark resident who sells tools to mechanics and body shops, must travel a lot with his truck which is equipped with an air-conditioned tool store. He spends about $300 to $400 per month on fuel but hasn't yet pass on the additional expenses to his customers, he said. Everyone is affected by the rising cost of fuel. Gas prices have reached record highs, up almost 46 cents in a month, according to news reports.

But most Moorpark residents, like Brett Doherty who owns a mobile tool business, can't just stop driving.

Doherty drives a large air-conditioned truck that he uses as a showroom for selling tools to mechanics and body shops throughout the region. Although he spends about $100 more per week to fuel up, he hasn't raised his prices, he said. "I'll just make less."

Jeff Sirkin, who was filling up his tank at the Alliance Gas station on Los Angeles Avenue, is an independent contractor who sells printing supplies. He drives a Chevy Blazer and spends at least $20 every other day on gas, he said.

The bad news is that prices are still going up and aren't likely to come down any time soon.

"As long as the economies of China, India and the United States stay healthy, we will probably see gas above $2 per gallon," said Keith Millhouse, a Moorpark city council member who serves on the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

Only a global recession that seriously crimps demand would allow supply stocks to be rebuilt, he said.

Oil isn't an unlimited resource, Millhouse said. When the U.S. was the only consumer and supplies were plentiful, Americans could drive everywhere without thinking about gas usage, he said.

But that has changed. "We owe it to future generations to recognize that we need to break our addiction to foreign oil for the environment and political world stability," said Millhouse, who drives a hybrid car.

"While I really wanted a Porsche, I felt a responsibility to future generations to help preserve some resources," Millhouse said.

Aside from driving a hybrid, there are other ways to save on gas. Drivers can plan ahead and run all their errands at once instead of making multiple trips. Millhouse also said that, when possible, carpooling and use of the Metrolink trains can help conserve resources.

The government and automakers should speed up the development of vehicles that use alternative fuels, as well as making gasoline-powered vehicles more fuel efficient, Millhouse said.