Driving Less?

Economy

This is supposed to be the start of the Summer Dash for people to Drive all over. Yet according to the Government Department of Transport, March figures show a marked decrease in travel, in fact the largest drop since 1942.

Compared with March a year earlier, Americans drove an estimated 4.3 percent less — that’s 11 billion fewer miles, the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration said Monday, calling it “the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history.” Records have been kept since 1942. (source - CNN)

I suppose my question is, WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

Like Gas has been rising in leaps and bounds for months, but only in March, American Drivers are starting to do something about it? Like what, they were hoping for the Gas Fairy to come along and drop the price or something? And yet, this holiday weekend, they claim people are zooming down the freeways all over, well, as best as they can, given the congestion.

You also have to wonder about the Car Makers. I mean look at the television ads that are airing these days, and hey, it is still the gas guzzling SUV’s being pushed, the big trucks with the big motors. Yet you know, there is NO TALK about bringing out fuel efficient vehicles or even in pushing the Hybrids that are already in production.

Makes me wonder, is it the Oil Industry that needs adjustment, or is it people?

The voting so far this year, has shown people are concerned about the Economy, but so what? I mean are they shopping closer to home, making less trips? Or is it simply lip service, while they continue to use the SUV to go get a pack of Cigarettes or some Bottled Water?

Ian @ May 27, 2008