The bill passed in the House, with support from Gov. Mark Sanford, would suspend the tax from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Sanford originally has suggested suspending the tax during the summer, when many families drive to vacation spots, but lawmakers argued that families could put the money to better use during the winter shopping months.

Either way, this is a bad idea. The revenues lost by suspending the gas tax would come directly out of the pot for road repair and maintenance. I-95 is not the only interstate that needs maintenance. Hundreds of miles of state roads are falling apart and at least four major bridges have been rated as substandard. Even with the gasoline tax, the state falls hundreds of millions of dollars short each year of the revenues needed to make repairs.

Fortunately, the Senate appears likely to put the brakes on this measure. Opponents in that chamber say the need for road improvements trumps the need to save drivers a few pennies-per-gallon on fuel. They also are skeptical that all gas stations would pass on the savings to drivers. And some say passing a tax break that would take effect just before November elections looks too much like vote buying.

The tax break would be extremely difficult to administer. And even if it were passed, the average estimated savings would be only $32 per driver.

Some, of course, would benefit more than others. Businesses that have fleets of trucks or cars would reap the most, while the average car owner might save only a few dollars during the three-month period.

If the state really wants to help citizens save money, why not offer tax incentives for buying more fuel-efficient vehicles? Why not promote vehicles that can use alternative fuels?

Lowering the gasoline tax, even temporarily, to buffer the pain of higher gas prices also sends the wrong message. Americans need to understand that there is no absolute right to cheap gasoline and that our "addiction to oil," as President Bush described it, has wide-ranging consequences.

The United States now is competing with emerging giants such as China and India for a finite supply of oil, and there are no quick fixes -- including a 17-cent savings on a gallon of gas during the holiday season -- to the dilemma that poses.

IN SUMMARY
Suspending the state's gasoline tax would provide little relief and send the wrong message.