The average American motorist is driving substantially fewer miles for the first time in 26 years because of high gas prices and demographic shifts, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal highway data.
The growth in miles driven has leveled off dramatically in the past 18 months after 25 years of steady climbs despite the addition of more than 1 million drivers to the nation's streets and highways since 2005. Miles driven in February declined 1.9% from February 2006 before rebounding slightly for a 0.3% year-over-year gain in March, data from the Federal Highway Administration show. That's in sharp contrast to the average annual growth rate of 2.7% recorded from 1980 through 2005.
Factors contributing to the slowdown:
•Soaring gas prices. Seven of 10 Americans are combining trips and taking other steps to reduce driving, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll May 4-6. Don Harrison, 32, of Indianapolis, no longer visits his relatives across town on the weekend; he saves gas by simply calling them.
•Expanded public transportation. More people took public transit last year than at any time in 49 years. "We're seeing suburban locations create new transit systems," says William Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association. "They're expanding into areas that never thought they needed transit because they could do everything by car."
•Demographic shifts that de-emphasize the need to drive. Many Americans, particularly young, upwardly mobile singles, are moving downtown and revitalizing cities. "(They) don't have to live the way of the Ozzie and Harriet model — two parents, suburban, who drive to the city," McMahon says.
Jeff's Take: As a retailer, I'm screwed. This is a big reason why the economy is diving. People are not interested in driving (to spend up to $3.50/gal at the pump.) Our sales, especially at the bookstore, are directly releated to the price at the pump. Stupid oil shortage.
Now, more importantly, what does the church do to continue to reach out? Church Relevance gave us three options that I thought were cool:
1) make your services worth the trip
2) multi-site campuses
3) Internet Campus
At CF, we have nailed #1. We're still working on #2 (Homestead is going strong... wonder where the next campus will be). #3 is interesting to me. I've heard about Internet Campuses. I know LifeChurch.tv does it. I've heard that Seacoast does it (haven't seen it yet.)
This makes me curious. I love the Internet. I love church. But what does the two together really look like? If you've worked at/attended an Internet campus, e-mail me. I'd love to hear your success stories.
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