Gas Prices Soar; Americans Drive Less
Did you stay home Memorial Day weekend? Are you planning to travel this summer? For many Americans travel plans are on hold and the reason is simple—gas prices.
With the price of gas averaging $4 a gallon, Americans have changed their driving habits. According to the Department of Transportation, drivers traveled 11 billion fewer miles this March than they did the same month last year.
The 11 billion miles is the steepest decline in driving since 1942. It is an estimated 4.3 percent decline.
The average cost of gas was $3.94 this Memorial Day weekend. Last year, it was $3.23.
Gas prices have also changed other trends. Americans are using more public transportation. Ridership on trains, buses and other forms of public transportation was up 2.1 percent in 2007. Americans took 10.3 billion trips in 2007, more trips than at any time in history.
The Energy Information Administration says that gas use from January to March of 2008 is down about 0.6 percent and summer use is also expected to go down.
So how is your family coping with gas prices? Are you staying home? Have you thought about buying a hybrid? Are you using public transportation? Or, do you think the gas crisis will go away?
Source: CNN
BLOG QUESTION
How high do you think gas prices will go and how will Americans respond?
With the price of gas averaging $4 a gallon, Americans have changed their driving habits. According to the Department of Transportation, drivers traveled 11 billion fewer miles this March than they did the same month last year.
The 11 billion miles is the steepest decline in driving since 1942. It is an estimated 4.3 percent decline.
The average cost of gas was $3.94 this Memorial Day weekend. Last year, it was $3.23.
Gas prices have also changed other trends. Americans are using more public transportation. Ridership on trains, buses and other forms of public transportation was up 2.1 percent in 2007. Americans took 10.3 billion trips in 2007, more trips than at any time in history.
The Energy Information Administration says that gas use from January to March of 2008 is down about 0.6 percent and summer use is also expected to go down.
So how is your family coping with gas prices? Are you staying home? Have you thought about buying a hybrid? Are you using public transportation? Or, do you think the gas crisis will go away?
Source: CNN
BLOG QUESTION
How high do you think gas prices will go and how will Americans respond?
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