Americans Driving Less Than Ever

whether any questions remain about how thoroughly gas prices that year have impacted U.S. drivers, statistics for the month of May seem to have settled them.

The Federal Highway Administration has released nationwide figures that show Americans drove 9.6 billion fewer miles that month than in May ‘07, a 3.7% drop. that is the largest decline for the month of May since the federal agency began tracking those statistics, which happened 66 years ago.

that additionally brings 2008’s five-month total of miles traveled to 29.6 billion miles less than 2007. Three of the largest declines for individual months have occurred in that duration span, with May topping the list.

Consumers have buckled down in many ways, using public
transportation more, driving less, and ??? we hope ??? utilizing gas-saving
tips, like those found on

An unintended consequence of reduced fuel use has been a decline in
revenue for the Highway Trust Fund, which gets its money from the
federal gas tax. With public driving significantly less, the fund is
losing money. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said in a statement
that the decline in revenue pointed toward a problem for the future.

As plug-in hybrids hit the roads and Americans find other means and
technologies to reduce their gas consumption, the Highway Trust Fund
will have to find a different revenue source whether we want to keep our
highways from crumbling into disrepair.

Driving Drops Again (The Washington Post)

Original post by Stephen Markley

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