Access America Travel Insurance and Assistance published poll results recently that show the direct correlation between gas prices and consumer choices. This organization worked with Ipsos Public Affairs to ask 1,000 poll participants different questions about changes in consumer choices based on gas prices. The primary finding of the Ipsos poll was that the average gas price where consumers began to evaluate their driving habits was $3.20 per gallon.
Drivers from coast to coast know that gas has not been $3.20 per gallon since the early months of spring. Ipsos pollsters found that 74% of participants have changed their habits as $4.00 per gallon gas has become par for the course. The doomsday scenario of $5.00 per gallon was posited to participants with 85% of respondents saying that this high financial toll would lead to different driving habits.
The changes in driving habits cited by respondents show economic and infrastructure problems in the United States. Ipsos found that 21% of respondents began their driving evaluations with the elimination or reduction of errands. These participants are responding to not only gas prices but the flailing house market and skyrocketing food prices. The responses falling behind reduced errands show the lack of carpooling programs (7%), walkways (6%) and effective public transportation (4%) throughout the United States.
Readers may find the breakdown of concerned drivers participating in this poll fascinating. There were 71% of respondents who answered that the country was moving in the wrong direction along with searching for new driving habits. Ipsos also found that 72% of participating parents with minor children were searching for ways to save money on fuel. A critical statistic for politicians and experts interested in the middle class is that 73% of participants with incomes less than $50,000 cited concerns about gas prices.
There is one black spot in this Ipsos poll report that shows a stubborn streak in America’s consumer culture. There were 9% of participants who stated that they would not change their habits at any gas price. The turn toward alternative fuels, public transportation and cleaner energy production cannot be completed without changing America’s attitude toward consumption.
