U.S Driving Survey Shows Less Driving By Americans In 2009

September 24, 2009

A recent survey conducted by GMAC Insurance has revealed that about 30% of the participants polled have declared their plans to do less driving in the next 12 months.

The national driving survey polled more than 5,000 licensed U.S. drivers. The results have served as a confirmation in the eyes of many industry experts that less may really be more. The Federal Highway Administration has reported that Americans have traveled up to 112 billion miles less in the last 13 months.

The GMAC survey has shown a variety of reasons why consumers are driving less. For example, worry about the economy has accounted for 74% while effort to lower financial costs accounted for 24%. About 33% cited a desire to lower their environmental impact. There were 26% who said they wanted to drive less to help maintain the vehicle’s value. Another 11% said they planned to drive less so they could receive a discount on their car insurance.

The bottom line is that no matter the reasons, GMAC has decided to reward those drivers who are currently altering their driving habits, or who want to help the environment or economy by offering Pay-As-You-Go insurance options.

Such programs provide benefits for those drivers who have already instituted a new driving approach, the biggest of which is lower premiums for their coverage. GMAC’s survey has noted that 35%, or one in three drivers, would sign up for Pay-As-You-Go insurance if their insurer provided the option.

For those interested in GMAC Insurance’s Low-Mileage Discount, the only thing drivers have to do is opt-in and let their savings begin automatically. The discount is available to all eligible and active OnStar subscribers who are driving less than 15,000 miles a year. Depending on the miles driven, they may save up 54% for their insurance coverage