Why Americans Are Driving Less

Do you see fewer Clarksville cars parked in driveways nowadays? There is an explanation.

According to the American Automobile Association, the American love affair with the automobile (including cars in clarksville tn) is strong, but not as strong as it was, say, 15 years ago. Nationwide, nearly one half million fewer people traveled by car during the July 4th weekend this year compared with last year, and in fact, the number of registered cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans has decreased since the beginning of the Great Recession, which was in 2007.

There is another interesting contributor to the dwindling number of drivers. According to a Gallup poll, only 69 percent of American drivers say they love to drive compared with 79 percent in 1991. Even more astounding is the sentiment we feel toward our vehicles. A mere 23 percent consider their car special and more than just a mode of transportation. In 1991 that number was nearly 50 percent. So why the change of heart?

The largest cause for this decline is surprisingly not the rising cost of gasoline. That being said, the aftermath of the Great Recession has taken a toll on household income and personal wealth. Additionally, though, the number of adults aged 18 to 34 with a driving license declined from 86 percent in 2001 to 83 percent in 2011.

But those facts still do not explain why American interest in driving is waning. The biggest reason cited for the fading love affair is attributed to the ever growing headache of traffic congestion. Nearly 30 percent of respondents considered driving to be a chore. In fact, the time spent stuck in traffic grew by 56 percent from 1991 to 2003, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

So what does this mean for the average American driver? For many of us, driving is a necessary evil and there is no way around it. We want to love the vehicle we are in, but we also do not want to spend hard earned cash to get it.

The first thing to consider is the cost of the automobile. Because used Clarksville cars depreciate less quickly than new Clarksville cars, used Nashville car dealerships and Fort Campbell auto dealers have no trouble selling their inventory.

Used cars aside, what you save in sticker price may not save you in the long run. If you opt to purchase a new Clarksville auto, consider this. The average cost over the first five years of car ownership averages $9,100 a year. If, though, your purchase new Clarksville cars, your cost of ownership could be significantly lowered if you own a Clarksville car for at least eight years. The savings is so significant in fact, that those three extra years could reduce your expenditures to $7,800 per year. (A lot of this is attributed to owning a car after it has been paid off.)

Of course, the make and model of Clarksville cars factor into this equation. A luxury vehicle will cost you significantly more than an economy car. If longevity and cost are a top priority (and to be honest, it is for most of us) than purchasing low maintenance, efficient, used or new Clarksville cars, should be your top priority.