Fuel prices start to weigh on consumers

Report: Energy costs may be going up but consumers find ways to keep them down.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Consumers are curbing their driving habits as high gas prices decrease demand, a marketing information company said Tuesday.

According to the NPD Group, three out of four consumers said recent hikes in gasoline prices have affected how much they spend to refill.
Sixty-nine percent of consumers surveyed are driving less frequently, 42 percent plan to drive not as far and only four percent of consumers have taken advantage of employee discount incentives from major car dealers.

Nearly a quarter of the consumers surveyed said that increased airline fares would affect their travel plans or choice of airline, the NPD said.

CNN/Money