If you are like many Americans, you may find that you are putting fewer miles on your vehicle this year. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans are driving a lot less, these days, to the tune of billions of saved miles per year. They report that during the study period of 14 months, drivers in this country drove 122 billion miles less than during the previous 14-month span. It is a trend that has been building for the past couple of years and, with such a large amount of saved miles, it appears it may well continue for the next couple, as well.
Why People Are Driving Less
There are a number of reasons why people are driving less, these days. One of the biggest factors is the price of gasoline. As gas prices soared, people found ways to cut back on how many miles they were driving. Some turned to carpooling, while others rode bikes, took the city bus, or combined errands so they didn’t go out as often. The attempts to save money at the pump were also helpful to the environment.
Quite a few drivers out there are also looking for ways to help the planet and still be able to drive. If you can’t afford to buy a hybrid to save on gasoline, you may feel that driving less is the best route for you to be actively involved in doing your part. Additionally, there may have been a drop in mileage over the last year due in part to the poor economy. With millions of people unemployed, a lot of mileage is being saved that would have otherwise been used commuting back and forth to jobs.
Insurance Rate Impact
What many drivers across the country do not realize is that putting less mileage on your vehicle may also get you lower car insurance rates. If you are driving less and haven’t notified your insurance carrier, take a few minutes to do so. Typically, the more you drive per week or year, the more your premiums are. If you are cutting back on the number of places you drive, you may also be entitled to a decrease in your rates. After all, you are not on the road as much, which makes you less of a risk for the carrier.
If your insurance company does not offer a discount for driving less, take a few minutes to get quotes from other companies. You may find out that, by driving less, you can save on your insurance, as well as at the pump.
