Mortgages

State: Florida
Ranking: No. 1

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

State: California
Ranking: No. 2

Damian Dovarganes, AP

State: Illinois
Ranking: Three-way tie for 3rd place

Jeff Haynes, AFP / Getty Images

State: Maryland
Ranking: Three-way tie for 3rd place

Carlos Osario, AP

State: Michigan
Ranking: Three-way tie for 3rd place
Source: Mortgage Asset Research Institute

Jeff Haynes, AFP / Getty Images

Despite a recent retreat in gasoline prices, many schools around the country are eliminating or reducing bus service, consolidating bus stops, canceling field trips and forcing students to walk longer distances to school.

Bill Kostroun, AP

Spurred by high gasoline prices, dozens of communities around the country now allow electric golf carts on city streets as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to cars and trucks. Twenty-six states either allow low-speed electric vehicles on local streets or let towns make that decision.

Chris Carlson, AP

Nissan will be introducing a device called an "Eco Pedal" in new cars, which is a counter-control mechanism that pushes back when the driver steps too hard on the accelerator. The device is supposed to increase fuel efficiency.

Nissan

Pressured by high gas prices, consumers are paying big bucks to buy used fuel-efficient cars like the Toyota Prius. Even 2007 models that had logged an average 22,000 miles sold for only $276 less than dealers were getting for a Prius direct from the factory.

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP / Getty Images

This year's record rise in oil and gas prices has forced local governments to make tough choices. Some cities and other municipalities are reluctantly cutting back police patrols, road repair crews -- asphalt is composed largely of heavy oil -- and, paradoxically, even some bus services in order to lower their fuel bills.

Charles Rex Arbogast, AP

A new study that examined fluctuations in gas prices and driving deaths over more than 20 years suggests that the current spike in gas prices could cut driver deaths by one-third annually, particularly among teen drivers.

Bob Child, AP

Car rental company Avis said that rising fuel costs and slowing U.S. commercial air travel are having an impact on its bottom line. As a result, the company expects its second-quarter and full-year earnings to fall below year-ago figures.

Paul Sancya, AP

Americans' reduced driving and weaker demand for gasoline has kept soaring gas prices actually lower than they could be. Historically the price of gas has risen faster than oil -- such as when Hurricane Katrina crippled the Gulf Coast's refining capacity in 2005 -- but oil prices now sit twice as high as last year, while gas is only higher by a third.

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Thieves are taking aim at ranchers and farmers, syphoning gas and stealing tanks as diesel fuel prices soar. The cost of farm diesel is less than the diesel used by truckers and the general public, and thieves either sell it or use it themselves. Some diesel thieves sometimes even use pumps built into vans that roam wide-open fields at night.

Betsy Blaney, AP

Across the country, public transit systems have seen ridership rise sharply as retail gasoline prices climbed into record territory. But very few metros are outfitted to handle the crush: Many buses are jammed with standing commuters, while some riders on busier routes get turned away. And funds to expand are unavailable.

Tim Boyle, Getty Images