In 1973, during the oil embargo, OPEC raised the price of oil in addition to decreasing the supply. As a result,
the price of oil went from $3 a barrel to $12. OrdinaryAmericans felt the strain at the gas pump, whererestrictions were put in place. U.S. drivers whose vehiclelicense plates ended in an odd number could purchasegas only on odd-numbered days of the month. Driverswhose license plates ended in even numbers could buygas only on even-numbered days of the month. In someareas, stations used a three-fl ag system to indicate theavailability of gas. If a green fl ag was fl ying, anyone couldbuy gas. A yellow fl ag meant there were restrictions onthe sale of gas. A red fl ag meant the station had no gasfor sale. In the last week of February 1974, 20 percent ofU.S. gas stations had no fuel at all.
the price of oil went from $3 a barrel to $12. OrdinaryAmericans felt the strain at the gas pump, whererestrictions were put in place. U.S. drivers whose vehiclelicense plates ended in an odd number could purchasegas only on odd-numbered days of the month. Driverswhose license plates ended in even numbers could buygas only on even-numbered days of the month. In someareas, stations used a three-fl ag system to indicate theavailability of gas. If a green fl ag was fl ying, anyone couldbuy gas. A yellow fl ag meant there were restrictions onthe sale of gas. A red fl ag meant the station had no gasfor sale. In the last week of February 1974, 20 percent ofU.S. gas stations had no fuel at all.
