Rising fuel prices will help reduce road traffic

[cedric]

A new report for a Canadian bank examining the economic impact of rising oil prices predicts that millions of Americans will be forced to give up driving as gas reaches $7.00 a gallon.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/33814

[LisaM]

1. I've actually noticed that already

traffic seems way down in Seattle.

[tinrobot]

7. Los Angeles as well.

I know I'm driving less, and when I do have to drive, the streets are much more open.

[DJ13]

2. Higher food prices reduces obesity too

But thats no way to be on a diet.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Maybe on the weekends, but that's when they do road repair, so there

isn't much relief.

[postulater]

4. Guess we won't need to fix the bridges then.

[Marrah_G]

5. The problem is that this hurts those who can least afford it, the most.

[kestrel91316]

6. In the past YEAR I have noticed considerably less traffic on

Ventura Blvd (main drag in the area) when I drive home in the evening. I suspect there is a lot less "casual" driving going, and trips to run a single errand. People even here in Lost Angeles are learning to do what many of us have done for years: combine trips. Also, I see more people out walking, either returning from the store with bags in hand, or walking for exercise.

A remarkable thing in this city.

That said, I still see hordes of shiny new import coupes racing around weekend evenings. The spoiled rich kids are still being handed fancy cars and apparently gas cards, too, judging from the way they drive.

[Clear Blue Sky]

8. Good. Seeing more smaller cars too.

[whistle]

9. Would $16.00 per gallon fuel bring traffic to near zero?