Gas is cheap again, and cumulatively, Americans are driving a record amount.
Newly released U.S. DOT data shows that through the end of November, Americans drove a cumulative 2.88 trillion miles last year, well above the same period in 2014, indicating that 2015 will set a new national record for driving mileage. Adjusting for population growth, driving is still about 6 percent lower than the peak in 2005, though that metric is also on the rise, reports analyst Doug Short.
On the bright side, at least this time the feds aren't cheering the news, like they did back in August. Todd Solomon at U.S. DOT's blog, The Fast Lane, wrote about the drawbacks of more traffic:
Each of those miles is wear and tear on the roadway surface. And when combined, those miles represent a significant challenge to our capacity. And that means traffic congestion. Which means lost time, lost money, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. So, while we appreciate that our roads made possible those 3+ trillion vehicle miles traveled, we aren't exactly celebrating this new record.
Even if the average American isn't driving as much today as 10 years ago, too many cities and towns are saddled with infrastructure that leaves people with no good alternative to driving for almost every trip. Without significant changes to transportation and land use policy, traffic isn't going to decline on its own.
Hat tip: Tony Dutzik
