The American Automobile Association (AAA) has predicted gas prices will peak around $2.70 a gallon this summer, and a new study suggests the increase may be enough to modify some drivers’ habits to try to use less gas or save money.
Newsmax reported that the current national average for gas in the U.S. is around $2.29 a gallon, up from $2.04 a gallon this time last year but still much lower than the nearly $4 a gallon of a few years ago.
A study by AAA found about 70% of drivers will take steps to cut back on their summer driving. They may vacation closer to home, combine errands into fewer trips, or try to carpool more often, NBC News reported. Some said they may cut back on shopping or eating out to afford the increase in gas prices.
There was an age gap in the results, with those 18 to 34 suggesting they would not cut back to offset the higher prices, according to NBC.
“People who are 35 and older they say ‘yes we’re going to adjust our driving habits.’ But the younger drivers not so much, 18-34, they’re just going to jump in their cars. They’re less concerned about the increase in gas prices than the older drivers,” said AAA spokesperson Amy Parmenter, NBC News reported.
For the full report click here.
