GAS PRICES DON’T USUALLY DROP DURING THE PEAK OF SUMMER DRIVING SEASON. HOWEVER, VIRGINIANS ARE RECEIVING A WELCOMED BREAK AT THE PUMPS. TRIPLE-A MID ATLANTIC OFFICIALS SAY THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR SELF-SERVE GASOLINE IN THE COMMONWEALTH IS $2.76 A GALLON, WHICH IS 13-CENTS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO AND 18 CENTS LESS THAN THIS TIME A YEAR AGO. PRICES ARE FALLING DESPITE THE FACT THAT CRUDE OIL PRICES HIT A RECORD HIGH OF $78.21 A BARRELL YESTERDAY. AAA SAYS THE LOWER PRICES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO REFINERIES OPERATING CLOSER TO NORMAL CAPACITY AFTER RECENT OUTPUT DECLINES DUE TO FLOODING AND MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS.