Does it seem that people are driving less?

[JamesTee]

I live in a small college town and people normally drive around just for something to do, or at least it seems. My part of town is usually so busy with traffic that it's difficult to cross the street. I have seen people get in their cars to cross the street to the supermarket. No joke. But the past 2 weeks or so I have seen far less people driving around my city, especially this afternoon (a Sunday). At noon (usually the busiest time of day for street traffic) it was almost like a ghost town sans tumbleweeds. Very eerie.

[liberaliraqvet26]

1. yes i have noticed less trraffic...

maybe gas prices up aren't so bad

[LoKnLoD]

2. I am...

I am now very aware of gas usage. I have a sweet Mazda RX8, but it only gets 15mpg, been leaving it in the garage all the time now.

[CountAllVotes]

3. same here

A lot less people on the road and also, a lot less of those big honker trucks trying to drive you off the road into a ditch.

So be it.

Nature has won the "war" it seems.

:kick:

[koopie57]

10. I have noticed a lot of older vehicles

lately and I wonder if the big truck owners are leaving them at home and using their second car.

[CountAllVotes]

12. if those big truck owners are smart

they would leave them at home, or better yet, get rid of them! Do they really "need" them? I suspect NOT!

:kick:

[spinbaby]

4. Not that I've noticed

If anything, it seemed busier than usual when I was out yesterday.

[Carni]

5. Yes definitely

And I have noticed a lot less traffic in my area

[B Calm]

6. I know I hardly leave home, unless it's to go to work. People are

starting to slow down too..

[eleny]

7. I know I sure do

More and more I wait to cluster all my trips. Being retired I can do this. My heart goes out to everyone working or at a distance from work and services. My next decision will be to figure out how to shop less often. Powdered milk, anyone?

[etherealtruth]

16. You got it ...

Powdered milk can be tolerable if icy cold.:(

[eleny]

21. It's not too bad when used to stretch regular milk

I've even stretched 2% with it. If you use a bit more than the recipe on the box, it can stretch milk with a pretty good flavor.

My aunt takes some milk out of a gallon and then freezes the plastic jug. But she's got an upright freezer. Maybe if I clean out my fridge freezer, I'd have room for an extra gallon. Keep the freezer working more efficiently, too.

[Divernan]

8. My favorite restaurant out in a pretty part of the countryside closed

The owner said people just weren't willing to drive 60 miles round trip for a meal the way they had for years.

[wli]

9. I don't go out much to begin with, so I have no idea. n/t

[OrlandoGator]

11. I've noticed a lot of pickup trucks driving with the tailgates down.

Less wind drag, better mileage.

[Silverhair]

13. I sure am.

Back in WWII, people were urged to ask themselves, "Is this trip really necessary?" before they went anywhere. You can see the line used sometimes in cartoons from the period.

My wife and I ask that now.

[CountAllVotes]

15. I've been doing that most of my life

being I never had much so to speak but crap jobs that paid very little. It was ingrained into my mind early in life to be conservative with spending and all resources. Debt to be avoided at all costs as well I was told my entire life by my parents. I believed them and luckily listened too being they were living during the Great Depression. They KNEW!

I recycle everything I can, etc. and I drive only when absolutely necessary.

No regrets here and I still clip coupons and seek bargains whenever I can.

My first car was an old VW bug, 2nd car a NEW Toyota Corolla, 3rd a used Honda Civic, 4th, another Honda Civic (woah - it got 52 mpg when I first got it in 1992 ... a stick shift).

Fourth car was a Civic automatic that I had to finally let go of because it was too low to the ground to get in and out of safely. So now I have a Honda Accord (4 cylinders). It isn't bad really - about 25 mpg around town - 30+ on trips (not that I go on very many anymore which is probably just as well).

I think gas rationing is coming soon. Those driving the big ugly trucks, Hummers, etc. will be the sad ones soon if not already. Paying over $100 to fill 'er up will be very depressing very soon around here!

:kick:

[Silverhair]

17. I forgot to say this. I bought a bicycle too.

Great for short trips.

[CountAllVotes]

18. I missed out awhile ago sadly

I was at a place that sells durable medical equipment and this man was outside and told me his mother had just passed away and had purchased an electric scooter for well over $5,000. He wanted to sell it to me for $1500. I wanted to buy it as a back-up way to get around (in case I lose my license down the road). However, my spouse did not like the idea at that time so I did not end up getting it.

Now I wish I had!

Oh well ... a bicycle is not a possibility for me any longer sadly due to my condition but more power to you! :D

:kick:

[SeattleGirl]

14. Not around here in Seattle.

However, I am driving less. Started working from home two years ago, but still traveled a lot in my capacity as a district manager. Then I switched companies (no more Connie Corporate for me), and sometimes I don't drive much at all during a week. I used to fill my tank about twice a week; now I fill it every two weeks or so. I know that not everyone is able to work from home, and driving is definitely an essential part of many jobs, but from at least a pocketbook standpoint, I'm thankful I have the opportunity to work from home.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. Still the same in the MotorCity....More traffic than ever it appears.

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

20. I live in a pedestrian friendly neighborhood, and while I haven't noticed

a significantly lower amount of cars, I definitely have seen a higher amount of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and bus riders.

[Maru Kitteh]

22. Way less traffic lately

The food place my daughter works at has seen a marked and unexpected decline.

[BlueIris]

23. People aren't driving less in my fucking city.

And the gas-guzzling SUV owners are still driving as much as ever, tailgating me, cutting me off, and sometimes making rude gestures while being so irresponsible. And they still have their fucking yellow magnets on the back of their monstronsities. Goddamned morons.