$4.00/gal was the tipping point in the U.S. Economy.
The ceiling was found, it was painful for all, and a realization that the whole economy would crumble if something didn't change.
Credit and mortgage failures were the first big indicators, followed by production drawdowns and higher unemployment.
The ripple effect is hitting China and the other low price labor markets now too, decreasing their demands for oil as well.
Everything gets rebalanced in time.
