RIVERSIDE – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 16th consecutive day and has dropped 20.4 cents since hitting a record high, according to figures released Wednesday by the Oil Price Information Service.

The average of $4.41 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is 1.1 cents lower than the figure released early Tuesday and 20.2 cents lower than last month. However, the average is $1.338 higher than at this time last year.

Experts have cited lower demand as the reason for the declining price.

The average hit a record high of $4.614 June 22.