MONROE - It has become less expensive to drive lately, but are people driving more?
The price for a gallon of gas has decreased by about 60 cents since this time last year. It's dropped by 70 cents in the past four weeks.
On Wednesday, the average cost for a gallon of gas in Monroe was $2.39. In November 2007 the average price for a gallon of gas was $2.99. It was $3.09 on Oct. 13.
During the summer, gas prices steadily rose. During the week of July 14, gas rose to $4.01 a gallon in Monroe.
Motorists felt the pinch of higher prices at the pump both in Monroe and across the country.
A survey of 1,000 people conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs in June found that 35 percent of Americans changed their driving habits when gas prices rose above $3 a gallon and 74 percent changed their driving habits when gas rose to $4 a gallon.
The survey reported about 25 percent of people reduced non-essential driving and about 20 percent said they planned to reduce errands.
People aged 55 and older were found to be more likely than adults between the ages of 18 and 54 to consolidate or reduce trips to the store
The effort to reduce mileage seems to be continuing.
Erika Zinke, Winslow, drives to work in Monroe and said the higher gas prices affected how often she drove. At one time, she said, she spent $200 a month in gasoline.
That's a lot of money coming from a paycheck, she said.
Zinke said she tries to shop in Monroe whenever she can rather than make a special trip to the store. That helps save money.
"I try not to drive unless I need to," she said.
Doug Fry, Browntown, said he's always been conservative and tries to keep his driving to a minimum, too.
The price for a gallon of gas has decreased by about 60 cents since this time last year. It's dropped by 70 cents in the past four weeks.
On Wednesday, the average cost for a gallon of gas in Monroe was $2.39. In November 2007 the average price for a gallon of gas was $2.99. It was $3.09 on Oct. 13.
During the summer, gas prices steadily rose. During the week of July 14, gas rose to $4.01 a gallon in Monroe.
Motorists felt the pinch of higher prices at the pump both in Monroe and across the country.
A survey of 1,000 people conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs in June found that 35 percent of Americans changed their driving habits when gas prices rose above $3 a gallon and 74 percent changed their driving habits when gas rose to $4 a gallon.
The survey reported about 25 percent of people reduced non-essential driving and about 20 percent said they planned to reduce errands.
People aged 55 and older were found to be more likely than adults between the ages of 18 and 54 to consolidate or reduce trips to the store
The effort to reduce mileage seems to be continuing.
Erika Zinke, Winslow, drives to work in Monroe and said the higher gas prices affected how often she drove. At one time, she said, she spent $200 a month in gasoline.
That's a lot of money coming from a paycheck, she said.
Zinke said she tries to shop in Monroe whenever she can rather than make a special trip to the store. That helps save money.
"I try not to drive unless I need to," she said.
Doug Fry, Browntown, said he's always been conservative and tries to keep his driving to a minimum, too.