Have you curbed your driving in the last year due to higher gasoline prices?... Is the following report valid?

Question

Americans Drive Less for First Time in 25 Years

By Bruce Nichols, Reuters

HOUSTON (Nov. 30) - High gasoline prices not only slowed fuel demand growth and cut sales of gas-guzzling vehicles in 2005, they also prompted Americans to drive less for the first time in 25 years, a consulting group said in a report Thursday.

The drop in driving was small -- the average American drove 13,657 miles per year in 2005, down from 13,711 miles in 2004 -- but it is more evidence that the market works and prices help control consumption, Boston-based Cambridge Energy Research Associates said.

Miles driven per motorist was down partly because there are more elderly people driving, and they tend to drive less, the report said. Between 1980 and 2004, drivers under age 21 dropped from 18.8 million to 15.8 million and those over 65 almost doubled, from 15.4 million to nearly 29 million, CERA said.

Average annual miles per vehicle also declined last year, from 11,946 to 11,856. That number for cars is smaller than average miles per motorist because there are more cars than licensed drivers in the United States, 1,148 per thousand, CERA said.

Answer 1

I have cut down driving some..but I still usually go wherever I want to go. Just putting up with the higher prices I guess. I don't really like them though! I could spend more money on other things rather than gas if the price of gas went down.

Answer 2

Gas prices aside, I am all for public transportation.

I am lucky to live in an area with great public transportation options... In the Bay Area of California, we have BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), AMtrak for between cities, an efficient bus system, bicycle friendly streets, and, in San Francisco, the Muni and cable cars as well.

I *love* not having to drive. As a student, I can slog out of bed and head for the train (BART- I've always lived within a couple of blocks) and study, get another littile bit of sleep, read for pleasure, talk on my cell phone, eat breakfast (well- you aren't supposed to, but a granola bar or something like that you can usually slide, and of course, not throw wrappers on the floor). I see people reading the paper, putting on make-up, getting work reports finished.

When I get where I'm going, I don;t have to worry about finding a parking place, paying for parking, moving my car from limited time spaces, feeding the meter, etc.

I never have to worry about being "fit" to drive-- hung over (rarely) in the morning, having a couple before heading home (who cares? I'm not driving!), being tired (a nap on the way home is great!).

I'd love it if there were great public transportation options more places. Another great advantage is that people who don;t have the means to have a car or drivers' license-- people who are elderly or physically challenged, kids, the poor-- can pay a small amount and get where they need to go. Especially for the handicapped, this is a great thing-- to always have transportation available without needing a helper. And, my son as a teenager could go all over the place without having a parent chauffeur.

Also, if you want ot go out on the town and party, you don;t have to worry about driving under the influence.

public transportation rules! beats driving any day in my book....

Answer 3

I think that the report is valid, but when the gas prices started going up, people drove more efficiently.

For instance, I put all my errands on a list and did them all at once. Before, I would do 1-2 at a time because I had the time. When gas went over $3.00/gal., time wasn't the issue.

Answer 4

at the same time as Obama change into elected, agencies realized there might want to be better governmental administration and absence of a few tax reward. This brought about a right away downturn in funding and inventory expenses. dropping the marketplace with the help of the floor. combine with that banks overextending themselves with failing overseas investments and failed ARM mortgages, and also you've the onset of the present melancholy. What … at the same time as Obama promised better governmental administration and cuts in tax breaks for giant agency you idea it does no longer stifle the economic equipment, as republicans had promised? we are reaping the whirlwind of united statesa.’s undesirable selections. Electing Obama to get decrease back at GWB. gas fee are an result ….no longer a reason.

Answer 5

I'm kind of the last person to ask because not only do I work at home but a lot of stores are within walking distance plus I live right on major transit lines.

Answer 6

I have cut back on my driving because I use the push bike to get around town and I use the motorbike to visit friends in the mountains. It is hard to determine if any report anywhere in the world is valid unless you are the one who writes it.

Answer 7

Such reports only give an indication of overall situation - may not be accurate county to county, city to city, state to state! Digest only what you think is right!