Gasoline prices in Los Angeles fell nearly 10 cents on Friday, dropping below last year's level, the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC) reported.

This was the fifth consecutive week of significant price drops.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell 9.8 cents over the past week to 2.861 dollars this morning -- 34 cents less than last month and 8 cents less than at this time last year, according to the ACSC.

The region's average price has dropped for 10 consecutive weeks.

The average price fell 1 cent from July 14-21; 1.7 cents from July 21-28; 2.4 cents from July 28-Aug. 4; nine-tenths of a cent from Aug. 4-11; one-tenth of a cent from Aug. 11-18; 5 cents from Aug. 18-25; 6.7 cents from Aug. 25-Sept. 1; 6.5 cents from Sept. 1- 8 and 9.4 cents from Sept. 8-15.

"The world oil market has seen prices plummet by more than 20 percent since July, as supply continues to be plentiful and no significant disruptions have occurred so far," ACSC spokeswoman Carol Thorp said. "In most Southern California cities, motorists are actually paying less for gasoline than at this time last year. "

Source: Xinhua