US Drivers' Miles Drop For 9th Month Straight - YOY (5%) June, (3.6%) July - Reuters

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."

The miles traveled figure is an informal economic reference for policymakers who sought to make the best of another bad number by touting rising transit figures. The drop in driving heightened concerns about how to pay for road and rail projects, since those employment-creating priorities are financed mainly by gasoline taxes.

EDIT

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Oil/idUSTRE48T6U620080930

and possibly more importantly as drivers have learned to drive more economically out of necessity they'll stay doing so - I know I do and will continue to. Recipients of the taxes better deal with it instead of griping.

drivers on Earth. No country comes even close.

though its a very subjective view...I bicycle now instead of driving, but the nice bike lanes here are very lightly traveled. I almost never see others commuting by bike. There are a few scooters in town where there was only one before, and more motorcycles, but basically there is just the same amount of car traffic as always.

Perhaps people carpool and combine trips more, but the basic habits seem the same for the vast majority - if they're going somewhere, they're driving the car.

on edit: I should add, bicycling in town has been no problem at all - drivers have been almost universally polite and attentive and predictable.