Rising gas prices: Do we really care?
This post was written by John Bennett
May 20, 2007
In October 2005, when gasoline prices soared above $3.00 per gallon, I noted few changes in the motoring habits of my fellow citizens. The local TV news operations camped out at filling stations to harvest B-roll of disgruntled customers filling their tanks. When they had the chance to speak on camera, most suggested that “something needed to be done,” and that the high prices were “unbelievable,” “ridiculous” and even “criminal.” Nonetheless, folks still swiped their cards, took fuel onboard and sped off just as they’d done when a gallon cost $2.00.
Now, two and a half years later, we are witnessing a replay. And nothing much has changed. Yesterday I observed a man sitting in his idling Oldsmobile while he waited his turn at a walk up ATM. When the time came for him to execute his transaction, he left the car running. All told, the car idled for perhaps 10 minutes. This is not behavior indicative of a person who’s concerned about gasoline prices.
People who drive everywhere are still driving everywhere. How high will fuel prices have to rise before Savannahians consider transportation alternatives? What’s the magic number that would result in more Savannah Morning News newspaper racks being blocked by bicycles?
Posted in Transportation
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
My sense is that very few people will reduce or stop driving under any circumstances. The right to motor fuel is held as sacred as the right to food. When people can no longer afford fuel (i.e. when the cards are all maxed), or when even availability becomes a concern, I think you’ll see rioting in the streets and all manner of criminal behavior before there is any widespread acceptance of the new reality.
May 25th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I agree with Jim,
When I consider the cost of buying, maintaining and running my car I know that it does not equate to a sensible investment. The rising cost of fuel is just an another expense compounding the already ridiculous cost of owning a car.
Our family could actually get to most places we like to go by bicycle. I do use my bike most of the time but with a family of three and one on the way we are not yet ready to get rid of the car.
I think it really will take a revolution in thinking to separate people from their cars. We are so attached to them that most people don’t realize how much they are sacrificing in order to support their automobile! I don’t earn a great deal and am quite happy cycling so I become quite resentful when I calculate what it actually costs me, per annum, to keep a car.
I love the photo by the way.
May 27th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Do you really think that the negative effect of idling their vehicles even occurs to people? We are too focused on speeding through our days without regard for consequences. I see so many bad driving habits on a daily basis (quick starts, idling in long drive-thru lines, idling vehicles to warm them in winter, idling to keep the interior chilled in summer, drivers stomping on the gas any time there is a break in traffic just to jam on their brakes when they catch up to the vehicle ahead of them, etc.). Canada has had the right idea for quite some time with their “idle-free zones.” Only when we officially make such behaviors punishable will we get the idea into people’s heads that their driving habits need to change.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Speaking of excessive idling, I have observed City trucks idling beside a square at lunch time. Perhaps the driver was filling out paperwork, perhaps eating lunch, but he was running the truck for at least 20 minutes. The driver of course was not paying for the gas, except through taxes I guess, along with other city residents. I, too, am concerned that Americans will have a last-minute, violent reaction to fuel supply disruption. Long-term fuel supply problems will stress our society and civilization severely. (From what I’ve read, the readiness of alternative energy is debatable.) The general public’s attitude about energy consumption, and driving especially, reminds me of the story of Easter Island. I used to wonder how that civilization could have cut down all of their trees without seeing what was coming. Everyone expects technology to allow them to continue their habits. I hope I will be surprised by Americans’ wisdom and preserverance in the future.