Over 40% of drivers in online poll have already changed driving habits
The website Daily Fuel Economy Tip recently ran a poll of their readers to find out if the current run up in gas prices has impacted their behavior. With prices in my part of the world having gone from a low of $1.85 /gallon to a current average of just under $3.20 it would seem likely people would adjust and that's what the poll showed. Forty-two percent of respondents said they had already changed their driving patterns and another twenty-five percent said they would drive less when gas hit $4 a gallon.
The poll is obviously not very specific and, as with most online polls, is somewhat self-selecting. People going to a site named Daily Fuel Economy Tip are probably more likely to alter their behavior at a lower price threshold anyway. Nonetheless as gas prices head toward $4 and beyond road trips are likely to be less frequent this summer. In the meantime you can save yourself some cash by combining trips, making sure tires are properly inflated and following all the other usual tips.
[Source: Daily Fuel Economy Tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jg3 8:44AM (5/09/2007)
And the other 60% have buried their heads in the sand, I guess?
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Howard Lee Harkness 11:35AM (5/09/2007)
Just as the price of gas is ramping up, the company I'm working for got bought out and moved twice as far away.
Yes, I'm changing my driving habits, but I'm not particularly happy about it (even though I recently traded my old vehicle in for one that get about 15% better fuel mileage). I'm hoping to get to telecommute at least a couple of days per week, but that may not happen.
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Chet 11:37AM (5/09/2007)
I wonder if "changed behavior" means "not leaving every light like John Force" yet. Seriously, most drivers are way too heavy on the go-pedal in town.
If every car had an "instant mpg" readout in front of them, they might see what wasteful pigs they're being when the signal turns green.
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bill 2:54PM (5/09/2007)
I love the comment about not leaving the light like you are John Force. As a way of life I have moved slowly away from a stop at lighted intersections because it saves gas and wear and tear when the engine is cold (not to mention it often avoids getting T-boned by some idiot running a red light). It never ceases to amaze me that trailing drivers will accelerate much faster than I am and then have to jam on their brakes to avoid a collision. As for changing my driving habits I have not other than relishing each opportunity to blow by a hybrid vehicle just for fun.
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MikeW 4:30PM (5/09/2007)
Depending on the torque converter stall speed, it is beneficial to accelerate up to speed so the torque converter stays stalled up.
Nothing worse than a slow gas guzzler.
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Don 5:48PM (5/09/2007)
This whole "our infrastructure isn't running at 100%" excuse from the oil companies is utter hogwash...how come it's never happened before?
Once they got a taste of profits like this, that's it...it's over.
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Loni 9:20AM (5/10/2007)
They say the refineries are only at about 89%, I feel that 11% difference should not impact the entire U.S. the way that it has. I have cancelled my Vacation plans for August, due to the high prices and am currently driving about 60% less than I used to. I cannot believe that I am the only one doing this. I believe their are alot of people that have cut back on their driving habits and if this is the case then why do prices keep going up. PRICE GOUGING! In my opinion,that is the only thing that makes sense to me.
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