Are We Really Driving Less?

Last week on CNN's Issue #1 there were several pieces about how people are driving less (locally or longer trips) to save fuel.

I don't know where these people are -- but maybe I don't see them because they are not on the road.

Instead I see fuel foolishness every day. After running a few errands this week, for example, I pulled up to Chick Fila to pick up lunch for my daughter and her friend. We were short on time and they were still in their jammies (no summer camp that day!) and so I planned to run through the drive through.

But it was 12:15 and I counted 17 cars idling in line for the drive through. So instead I let the girls wait in the vehicle (ignition off) while I ran in to grab their food.

I expected the inside of the restaurant to be jammed too, but instead I was able to go right up to the counter, place my order, and walk out about 5 minutes later.

In the meantime, the long line of cars continued to snake through the drive through one by one. All of them were idling, and wasting gas because their drivers refused to just get out and walk a few feet to get their lunches. (Most cars had only one adult in the them.)

Last week I was astonished when twice I went to the gas station and saw drivers leave their trucks running while they went in to make purchases in the station's convenience store. People still let their trucks or cars run while they are not in them??

Now I have wasted plenty of money in my life (more than I care to count) but I just cannot see wasting money on fuel. Especially not now, when we are fighting wars over oil, talking about drilling in our pristine wilderness areas, and when people in our country are being forced to choose between fuel and food.

Come on folks. Let's turn off our engines and use our legs a little more!

Gerri Detweiler – Personal finance author, radio host and credit expert. Gerri contributes budgeting, debt recovery and savings information online.

Comments

[Rob Schmidt]

I agree with your thoughts it does not seem that people are off the road. I drive for a living and the backups are everywhere.

[Jim]

I hate dealing with the drive through. If I'm going to be lazy enough to resort to fast food, I can walk in and order it in person.

[JohnUlzheimer]

Maybe they think that you burn more gas turning you car off and back on then you do sitting there in idol? LOL

[Randy Johnson]

What gets me is turning a corner with other cars in a left turn lane, you can see that a block up ahead there is a red light ahead so ther is no hurry.

I "coast" up to the light whereas other cars accelerate wildly and then have to brake for the light.