Danny Katz
Executive Director, CoPIRG
Executive Director, CoPIRG
CoPIRG Foundation
Denver – Coloradans have cut their per-person driving miles by 11.4 percent since 2005, while the nation’s long term driving boom appears to have ended, according to a new report from the CoPIRG Foundation. Colorado had the 6th largest drop of state and now ranks 14th for fewest vehicle miles traveled per person.
“In Colorado, driving miles are down, just as they are in almost every state – only a lot more,” said Danny Katz, CoPIRG Foundation Director. “And when you compare Colorado to other states, you see this trend is about more than the recent recession. Economic recovery will not mean a return to the days of the driving boom.”
The report, “Moving Off the Road: A State-by-State Analysis of the National Decline in Driving,” is based on the most current available government data. Among its findings:
After World War II, the nation’s driving miles increased steadily almost every year, creating a “driving boom.” Driven by the growth of the suburbs, low gas prices, and increased auto ownership, the boom lasted 60 years. Now, in stark contrast, the average number of miles driven by Americans is in its eight consecutive year of decline, led by declines among Millennials.
“Given these trends, we need to press the reset button on our transportation policy,” said Katz. “Just because past transportation investments overwhelmingly went to highway construction, doesn’t mean that continues to be the right choice for Colorado’s future.”