Floridians’ Gas Consumption at a 35-Year Low

Soaring prices at gas pump are changing consumer behavior across the state, motivating Floridians to cut back on fuel consumption to a level never seen since the state began keeping records 35 years ago.

A new report from the state Department of Environmental Protection shows Floridians, on average, used 450 gallons of gas per resident last year. That represents a 41-gallon per person decrease since 2004 and 84 fewer gallons than the peak year in the 1970s.

With gas prices now topping $4, consumption has decreased every month this year except March, a rate that, if it continues, would push per capita consumption perhaps to 440 gallons or lower in 2008, representing millions of fewer miles driven by on Florida’s roads.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080711/NEWS/807110611/1661