U.S. driving drops for 9th straight month

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Motorists on U.S. roads applied the brakes hard on driving when gasoline prices peaked over the summer at more than $4 per gallon, according to the latest government figures released on Tuesday.

The 3.6 percent year-over-year decline in miles traveled on all roads in July cemented a downward trend begun nine months ago in response to rising pump prices and economic weakness.

While the June drop was 5 percent, the July drop was still sharp and may be more illustrative of consumer habits and concerns about the economy. July is a usually heavy driving period marked by traditional summer vacations and the Independence Day holiday.

“The decline means Americans are consuming less fuel and emitting less CO2 (tailpipe emissions), which is a positive development,” Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said in an interview with Reuters. “But it is a challenge to how we fund transportation today.”

Reuters