Americans drove 19.6 billion kilometers less in June from a year ago as high gasoline prices reduced the number of highway kilometers traveled during the month by 4.7 percent, the U.S. Transportation Department reported Wednesday. It was the eighth consecutive month that driving declined, as Americans have changed their travel habits, switched to more fuel-efficient vehicles, and increasingly used public transportation. June's decline, which came as gasoline prices peaked, was the biggest monthly driving drop in a downward trend that started in November, the department's Federal Highway Administration said. “Clearly, more Americans chose to stay close to home in June than in previous years,” said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters. Since last November, U.S. drivers have driven 85.6 billion fewer kilometers than they did over the same period a year ago, topping the 1970s total drop in U.S. kilometers traveled of 79.3 billion kilometers that was caused by several recessions and spikes in gasoline prices during the decade. The decline in kilometers traveled since last November has occurred most in rural areas, where travel has fallen by 4 percent, compared to the 1.2 percent drop in urban kilometers traveled, the department said. High fuel costs have the biggest effect on drivers in rural areas, who normally drive greater distances and spend a larger share of their income on gasoline. The problem for the government is less money to pay for highway projects and public transportation, which are funded by an 18 cent-per-gallon (3.8 liters) gasoline tax and a 24 cent-per gallon diesel fuel tax. “Advances in higher fuel-efficiency vehicles and alternative fuels are making the gas[oline] tax an even less sustainable support for funding roads, bridges, and transit systems,” Peters said.
