We Drive Less: True or False?

[FarCenter]

MADISON, Wis. — The driving boom is over in the United States.

True or false?

For anyone who grew up thinking the United States is the epicenter of the world's car culture, this is a possibility hard to swallow.

Moreover, Americans who live in the suburbs, drive to work, and heavily rely on cars to haul kids around where they need to go, the notion that we are driving less simply feels false.

I was one of those skeptics.

So I've decided to take a hard look for the source of this dubious generalization: The New York Times article, "The End of Car Culture."

I tracked down data generated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration, while going through a few in-depth reports on the topic issued by the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) over the last several months.

And here's what I've found. According to US data generated over the last few decades:
•We are driving less (fewer vehicle-miles traveled)
•We own fewer vehicles
•There has been a large drop in the percentage of 16- to 39-year-olds getting a license

http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1320377

[arcane1]

1. I definitely drive less. Your mileage may vary.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. I see less driving in my family.

One son and one brother live in city with decent bus service, and rent cars only for out of town jaunts.
Otherwise they bike or bus.
I keep my car gassed up but don't drive it more than once a month, if that.
Joys of retirement.
saves a lot on mandatgory car insurance, too.

Figure with a wave of boomers retiring, and with city dwellers, plus high cost of cars, makes sense driving goes down.
add in the massive loss of jobs......

[B Calm]

3. We drive a lot less than what we use to do. I use

to think nothing nothing about hooking up my boat and driving 1600 miles round trip to Minnesota. I've been known to do it up to three times in a year. It's been 5 years now since I've been up there fishing.

[bhikkhu]

4. The trend started in 2008 and is reasonably well known

Here's a good article on it from a couple of years ago: http://www.earth-policy.org/plan_b_updates/2011/update100

It may be a solid long-term trend, as younger people are driving later and less, gasoline prices are almost certain to remain high, and use hasn't rebounded from the drop-off.

In my own case, I switched to commuting by bicycle in 2008 and have continued since. The one break I took was recently for two months as I was carting a lot of books around studying for an exam. Even though gas has been on the cheaper side lately, the daily driving really put a dent in the wallet; its a relief to be back on the bike and saving money again.

[FarCenter]

5. vehicle miles per person peaked in 2004, before the recession started

After W invaded Iraq the gas prices went over $2 / gallon and stayed there. I think that was a trigger.

[etherealtruth]

6. I wish I drove less

I do see a significant decrease in driving in the generation of my children

[angstlessk]

7. I no longer drive at all...everything we need is within walking distance...

In Detroit I cannot believe the cost of car insurance...it is no fault...

So I have to carry the cost of folks who steal vehicles ...