(MENAFN) Rising gas costs in the United States are putting a strain on police agencies as they strive to reduce gasoline use. One Michigan police department has already instructed its officers to handle “whatever calls are acceptable” over the phone.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Michigan has one of the greatest average weekly gas rising prices across the nation. Rates were earlier rising on a weekly basis, but are now rising on a daily basis. A gallon of standard gasoline priced $5.21 on Tuesday, up from $5.17 the previous day. It was $4.70 a gallon a week ago. In 2021, gas prices were $3.01 per gallon, a whopping 73 percent gain.

Gas costs were already placing a burden on US drivers, who were frequently finding themselves trapped on highways with empty tanks as they attempted to “test the limits of their fuel gauges,” As per the AAA. However, the problem is now wreaking havoc on police departments and other government institutions.

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