Americans Drive Less, Creating a Problem |

Americans Drive Less, Creating a Problem

Less Consumption Means Lower Gas Prices, Will We Go From ‘Shock to
Trance’ Again?

When gasoline prices shot over $4 a gallon this summer, Americans
didn’t wait for Washington to respond with an energy policy. They took
action on their own by driving less and switching to more
fuel-efficient cars.

The results are dramatic, but also problematic.
Join the Discussion

Readers, over to you: Will lower fuel prices change your driving
habits and vehicle purchase plans? Cast your vote and join a
discussion.

The good news is that gasoline consumption has fallen compared with a
year earlier in every month from March through September of this year,
according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Vehicle
miles traveled — the wonky term for how much we drive — have dropped
for 11 straight months, and fell 4.4% in September, according to the
Department of Transportation.

The only people driving more in September than a year earlier were the
proud few who live in North Dakota and the denizens of the District of
Columbia. The lousy economy depressed driving in many parts of the
country. Our nation’s capital, however, is a rock that’s always above
the water line whether the economic tide is high or low.

In short, many Americans, by choice or by default, did what the people
who worry about the climate and U.S. dependence on petroleum wanted
them to do. They burned about 5% less gasoline in August than a year
ago, according to Energy Information Administration data.

By jamming the brakes on driving, rediscovering mass transit and
walking past Hummers to buy compact cars like the Honda Fit, American
consumers caused big trouble for powerful interests. The question now
is how will those interests respond?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122728664289448183.html

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