WASHINGTON — In the face of surging gas prices, housing foreclosures and a shaky economy, Americans are slashing the number of miles they clock on the road, according to the federal government.
Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles in March 2008 than a year earlier, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Federal Highway Administration's "Traffic Volume Trends" showed that estimated vehicle miles traveled on U.S. public roads in March dropped 4.3 percent compared with March 2007. It is characterized as the biggest year-to-year driving drop in the agency's recorded history, which dates back to 1942.
U.S. gasoline demand has also dropped 0.6 percent in 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, says the U.S. Department of Energy. That agency has initiated Gas Price Watch, which urges consumers to report "price gouging" or "price fixing" in their local gas prices.
The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded rose to $3.937, up slightly from $3.936 the previous day, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Tuesday. The AAA survey points out that gas prices are up about 9 percent from a month ago and nearly 23 percent higher from year-ago levels. The average price for gas has surged past $4 a gallon in 11 states.
What this means to you: We're becoming a nation of homebodies in reaction to the continuing rise of gas prices. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Americans drove 11 billion fewer miles in March 2008 than a year earlier, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Federal Highway Administration's "Traffic Volume Trends" showed that estimated vehicle miles traveled on U.S. public roads in March dropped 4.3 percent compared with March 2007. It is characterized as the biggest year-to-year driving drop in the agency's recorded history, which dates back to 1942.
U.S. gasoline demand has also dropped 0.6 percent in 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, says the U.S. Department of Energy. That agency has initiated Gas Price Watch, which urges consumers to report "price gouging" or "price fixing" in their local gas prices.
The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded rose to $3.937, up slightly from $3.936 the previous day, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Tuesday. The AAA survey points out that gas prices are up about 9 percent from a month ago and nearly 23 percent higher from year-ago levels. The average price for gas has surged past $4 a gallon in 11 states.
What this means to you: We're becoming a nation of homebodies in reaction to the continuing rise of gas prices. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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