Gasoline is $3.00 a gallon. Some SUV drivers are paying over $100 to fill their vehicles.

And there is no end immediately in sight.

Now, finally, people may start to take gasoline conservation seriously. I knew we wouldn't before -because until now, hikes haves been temporary and relatively painless.

This does not look too temporary. And the price is starting to hurt some people.

So now, finally, people are going to pay attention.

In the long run we all know what has to happen. We need to explore alternative energy sources.

Hybrid autos are start, but there are other technologies out there. Now, finally, Washington and Detroit (or is it Washington, Tokyo and Seoul) may have to take this matter seriously.

Until we eliminate our dependence, we will be beholden to people whose interests may not coincide with ours. Our national security is tied to this issue.

Until now, Washington has talked the talk, a little bit. But it has done very little.

I don't think Washington will be able to ignore this problem any longer. The problem is that Washington should have been worrying about his for the past 20 years. Republicans and democrats have both failed to lead.

What can we do now, that will make a difference? There is one thing we can do: drive a little less.

If everyone cut their driving by 10%, that might be enough to drive down prices. Experts say it takes little to alter the pricing equation.

Since we will never voluntarily do this, I suggest the following. Highway taxes should be based on miles each of us drives per year - not the amount of gasoline purchased. Every driver should have a baseline, premised on an average for the past five years.

For drivers who drive 20% or more less in a given year than their average, they should be rewarded with a lower highway tax rate.

On the other hand, drivers who exceed their base by 20% should pay their highway taxes based on a higher rate. The tax base should continue to escalate for every 20% increase.

Exceptions will have to be made. Persons with new jobs may have to have their based adjusted if the new job necessitates more driving. Where fairness dictates, other exceptions should be in place.

Americans respond when their pocketbooks are affected. We also respond to patriotic calls.

Taxing people who can drive less but simply don't want to will have the desired effect of lowering our dependence on gasoline. And because that diminished need is also in our national interest, it is a patriotic proposal as well.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.