Remember When Americans Used To Drive?

[FarCenter]

Okay, that headline is a little extreme, but this is a story that needs to be talked about more: Americans are driving less and less.

Check out this chart from Doug Short showing vehicle miles driven on a population adjusted basis.

We're back to 1999 levels.

And that's adjusting for the entire population. If you adjust for only the population that's over 16 (driving age), the story is even more dramatic.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/remember-when-americans-used-to-drive-2012-3

On the other hand, we're still at over 70% above 1971 levels, and I don't recall feeling constrained in my driving back then.

[izquierdista]

1. I was constrained back then

In 1971, I only had a learner's permit.

[drm604]

5. I was even more constrained.

I couldn't get a learner's permit until '72.

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Constrained to the back seat here.

"are we there yet?"

[antigone382]

2. I kind of think this is good news.

I would like the causes to be an increase in carpooling and public transportation/the ability to meet most of life's daily needs within walking distance...but overall, I don't think the environment can support a huge population of frequent drivers, even if the vehicles are hybrids or electric (since most of that electricity comes from coal).

[Johnny Rico]

3. I don't drive any less now than I have for the last 20 years. More, if anything.

My commute has gone from 12 miles each way to over 30. I don't like the price of gas, but I'm willing to pay it to live in the mountains rather than the city.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. The things you learn from reader comments...

for instance, it's all due to 'liberal lies' that scare 'Muricans off the highways. Who knew?

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. Now that I'm rapidly becoming old and crotchety, I just don't get much fun out of it anymore.

Add that to the fact that I can't see worth beans at night (which used to be my prime driving-around time), and the fact that gas ain't quite thirty-five cents a gallon anymore, it's becoming more a chore than anything else.

These days, I tend to restrict my driving to running over the kids trespassing on my lawn. It's easier than yelling at them.

[On the Road]

7. A Lot of Suburbs are Set Farther Away from Cities than in the Past

and a lot of commuters drive across metro areas to work in another suburb. Until that trend reverses, there's probably a floor on changes in driving.

The alternative is if telecommuting increases. I started working at home three years ago and drive a fraction of what I used to.

[canoeist52]

9. Just add Driving to the list

of things we have to give up so we'll be happier - like eating out, vacations, museums, concerts etc. (sarcasm)

The only thing we can afford to to now is have sex - and they're working on removing that as an option.

[taterguy]

11. Can't you just canoe to work?

Quit complaining.

Do I have to add this?

[B Calm]

10. Getting ready to take off now on my daily 555 mile trip

to Grand Haven, Mi and back. But I drive a truck for a living. After driving 2,775 a week, the last thing I feel like doing on weekends or on vacations is driving.