US Mileage Continues to Plummet
July 29, 2008
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The month of May saw the seventh consecutive decline in total mileage in the US compared to the previous year as drivers across the country try to cut their carbon footprint and avoid high gas prices.
May had an estimated 254.7 billion miles, a 3.7% drop from last year. This represents over 9 billion fewer miles driven by American.
So far this calendar year has had a 2.4% overall decrease from 2007 mileage. When this occurs country wide, as is happening, it will have a huge impact on the nation’s carbon footprint.
The cause of this is without doubt the high cost of gas which is hurting a lot of Americans, and is causing extra pain at a time of poor economic health.
While the decrease in mileage across the country is clearly good news for global warming, it is hurting government revenues from the gas tax which are matched to transportation expenditures.
US Secretary of Transportation, Mary Peters, said “By driving less and using more fuel-efficient vehicles, Americans are showing that the highways of tomorrow cannot be supported solely by the federal gas tax. We must embrace more sustainable funding sources for highway and bridges through more sustainable and effective ways such as congestion pricing and private activity bonds.”
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