LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG: It's Official - Higher Gas Prices Have Reduced Miles Driven by Americans!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Let's Face it, You Dogs! Would you say, truly, you've attempted to drive fewer miles this summer, with the price for a gallon of regular-grade gas exceeding $4.60/gallon in some parts of the City of Chicago earlier this summer?
For most dogs, and the majority of humans, the answer is a resounding "YES!"
A Federal Highway Administration study estimates, in total, Americans drove 12.2 billion fewer miles last June, compared to June, 2007. That's the biggest monthly decrease in miles driven since gas prices began to escalate last November.
As the price of a gallon of regular topped $4.00 in early June, folks began to conserve on fuel even more. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline peaked in mid-July at $4.11. It has since fallen about 8%, to $3.78/gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
"Clearly, more Americans chose to stay cose to home in June than in previous years," according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.
During the period between November, 2007, and June of this year, those in the U.S. drove 53.2 billion fewer miles than the same period between in 2006-2007. That decline is even bigger than the drop that occurred during the 1970's, when Americans drew 49.3 Billion fewer miles in a decade marked by pump shortages, Middle East Oil Embargoes, and long gas lines.
Cathy Keefe, a spokesperson for the Travel Industry Association, was not surprised given the economic environment we currently all find ourselves in. She predicted that the recent drop in gas prices may get more drivers back on the road again - but, most likely, with some cutback. The travel trade association is projecting only a 1.2% decline in both business and non-business travel across the country in 2008.
The biggest declines in miles driven occurred in popular states for summer vacations. Miles driven in Florida dropped 6 percent in June; those in Maine - a 7 percent decline. Western States including Idaho, Utah, Washington, Nevada, and Alaska experienced year-to-year drops between 6.1 and 7.7 percent.
Survey data comes from over 4,000 automatic traffic counters operated by various state traffic agencies. They were corroborated by an AARP telephone survey of 1,006 drivers aged 50 and over, in which data shows a 67% decline in miles driven because of high fuel prices.
From the AARP survey, 40% have used Public Transit, ridden a bike, or walked with greater frequency since gas prices began to rise.
All of this data is very good news, you dogs - as very few of us four-pawed furry folks have gotten big raises at work this year, you know.
There is a sliver lining as well!
Of course, as people drive fewer miles, greenhouse gases and toxic auto emissions are reduced. According to Frank O'Donnell, of the Environmental Group Clean Air Watch, cars and trucks, along with power production plants, are the chief contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
You dogs - and you humans, too - will get to breathe a bit easier - and that's a very nice side effect!
See AP Reporter Joan Lowy's article in today's Chicago Tribune for more info.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
