The only proven method that will ever have a chance at curbing gasoline usage in America is higher prices. I don't know if there is a more powerful incentive than a lighter pocketbook. I think that if gas hit $10 a gallon that people would definitely "conserve" gas.

Jim, people won't change their driving habits because they will just run up their Shell credit cards and worry about the debt later.  As you stated, "once a glutton, always a glutton".  We all have self destructive habits in this country which are becoming more evident every day.  We always have to have the latest and greatest, and compromise and self control is just not the "American" way.

Best wishes and lots of luck, rm6. I think that's "wishful thinking" but time will tell. Americans are a very adaptive people, and they will adapt to $10.00 a gallon just as they did with $3.00 +. And, when it hits the 10 dollar mark and then goes down to $8.98 they will say, "Whew, thank God it has gone down again!"

Jim Richards

Gosh, as long as I can remember, as a little kid in the 50's, even when gas was $0.18 per gallon, everyone complained when it went up. Of course, the price of gas was $4 per gallon in Europe long, long before it was $1.50 per gallon here. That's really interesting. As far as usage, I think folks will tend to adapt their working and living arrangements and the kinds of cars they buy (that is the majority of folks will--there will always be some who feel unaffected by the price increase). The price rise is inevitable because of supply and demand. Recently, I saw a graphic presentation which showed that we have reached, right about now, the peak of global reserves, and the supply, accessible to us, is now starting to decline (even if gradually). As oil reserves/sources decline, it would seem price will continue to rise (irrespective of any other inflationary cost effects). I know that I just did some research to try and find out the most optimum speed for a vehicle (for greatest mileage per gallon). It is, of course, slower than 65-70mph. This will also be a hard adjustment, but you can, indeed, save gas by driving at the optimum speed (mileage-wise) for the vehicle (perhaps even 10% savings as opposed to 70mph). Eventually, alternative fueled devices will become the reality--and current oil companies will probably be in that business since oil availability will diminish. Just some thoughts for the blog. Thanks for posting this topic, Jim.

yea, it's wishful thinking, but if anything has a chance as curbing our voracious fuel appetite, it think it would be outrageous prices.

The prices have been on a steady increase for several years.  Everyone complains, the oil companies make record breaking profits every quarter, the government is in the oil bed in a big way and oil and auto lobbyists have an entire building of paid staffers around the corner from Pennslyvania Avenue that make sure nothing ever changes.

In the big picture, big cars that get less than 20 MPG sell in the USA - you are so right JimR.  Look around the next time you take to the road.  It's just this side of sick.  With pollution and gas prices, you'd think people would pull their belt in just a tiny bit.  We have a huge population that are, sadly, gluttons.

I sound like my mother.  Forty years ago she carefully explained to me, "we're all going to hell in a hand basket."  I hope she was wrong.  And, my guess is, higher prices will at some time change behaviors in auto purchases and vacations.  What's the price of gas going to be before the Hummer owner takes his last nickle to buy a clue? 

Jim,

I agree with you 100%. I remember complaining about the gas prices when it was $1.50 a gallon and now above the $3.00 mark as not stopped me. In fact I know more people today with 2007 and 2006 trucks and SUVs than smaller cars. I guess that should tell you something about how glutton we are as a nation.

It pains me greatly to say that I agree with Lori's comment. We are becoming more and more a material society.