OH REALLY
Many Americans said they would cut back on their driving orconsider carpooling as gas prices skyrocket.According to survey fromAAA,59% of American drivers said they considered $4 per gallon as the point atwhich they would begin altering their plans to save cash.The national average price per gallon is currently a record $4.31.
Even more people — roughly three-quarters of the 1,051 US adultssurveyed — said they’d change their driving habits if prices hit $5 per gallon.Analysts say prices could pass that threshold by a significant amount if theRussia-Ukraine war escalates.
In terms ofspecific lifestyle changes, 80% of respondents said they would drive less asprices rose. Some 53% of adults age 35 and over said they would cut back ondinner and shopping trips, compared to 43% of adults ages 18-34.Meanwhile, theyounger age group is much more likely to consider carpooling duringtheir trips to save on costs — with 29% saying they were willing to do socompared to just 11% of those age 35 and over.
Still, AAA’s survey found the high prices were unlikely to stop Americans fromtaking their usual summer vacations. More than half (52%) of respondents saidthey were still planning to take trips, and 42% said the gas prices would haveno impact on their plans.