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Gas guzzlers: Triad in nation's Top 10

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Comments (7)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

(Updated 3:33 pm)

By Richard M. Barron
Staff Writer

Here’s a ranking for all of us to worry about: Three of North Carolina's communities, including the Piedmont Triad, are among the top-10 gas-guzzling regions in the U.S., according to a new Forbes survey.

The Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill rank No. 1 in the nation. That’s right – Los Angeles doesn’t hold a candle to the Triangle’s gas consumption.

And the Charlotte region fares little better at No. 2.

The Piedmont Triad hits No. 6 on the nationwide list.

Our consumption is more than 1,000 gallons a year for the average household at a cost of more than $4,000, the Forbes report shows.

Los Angeles is surprisingly good at saving gas, near the bottom of the list. The report says that residents in central L.A. tend to live close to work and the beach.

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NoiseNatzi

May 11, 2011 - 5:22 pm EDT

Do you want my 2 cents to improve this country’s driving habits? Eliminate drive up windows. I find it unbelievable that people sit in their large vehicle with the engine running to buy cheap hamburgers. The queue will often back up into the street! I refuse to contribute to this stupidity and I look for walk up ATMs so I can shut my engine off.

buzzman

May 12, 2011 - 1:44 am EDT

I totally agree! The public as a whole is extremely lazy. Even when they park to go inside, some of them leave their vehicle in the fire lane or loading zone with the engine running - unbelievable!
And then there are all those gas guzzling SUVs with only the driver. Why do folks think they need such a large vehicle? If they have a large family, they need something larger than a sedan. Otherwise, drive something with good MPG.
The shrinks say that drivers of large vehicles who have no reason to own them are just saying: "I will crush you with my BIG vehicle!" Pathetic!

Kid A

May 11, 2011 - 6:15 pm EDT

That's pretty amazing. Actually it's more disgusting than amazing. What makes NC so attractive to these developers and the sprawl they create? Robbie Perkins for mayor!

rmacz

May 11, 2011 - 8:33 pm EDT

What about our leader...ha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRWhFAV6UTU

holland4

May 11, 2011 - 8:47 pm EDT

If you look at the entire list, people from cities and regions with developed rail systems drive fewer miles per year. This news underscores the need for more investment in more intercity CharMeck-Triad-Triangle rail options. We're still well ahead of comparable regions in the South, but more should be done. The entire 150 mile I-85/40 corridor from Charlotte to Raleigh is well-traveled throughout the week for commuting to work and school, driving to entertainment and sporting events, etc.

Unfortunately, the majority in the State Legislature will consider this an indication that we need more and wider roads on which to drive. Sort of like losing weight by adding another hole to your belt.

java323

May 11, 2011 - 9:35 pm EDT

This really doesn't surprise me at all. Go to any kids sporting event in North Carolina and all you'll see are Yukons, Sequoias, and Expeditions.

Brutarius

May 13, 2011 - 12:08 pm EDT

This is not a "Forbes survey." Sloppy reporting, Mr. Barron.

It is a Forbes story quoting from a survey done by the "Center for Neighborhood Technologies," and its methodology was funded by the Brookings Institution and the Rockefeller Foundation. The methodology is quite suspect to boot; I will get into that later after thorough examination.

Brookings Institution, Brookings Institution...where have I read that recently? Oh yes, in the Greensboro News & Record, in another "study" touting metro-area bus services:

http://www.news-record.comcontent/2011/05/11/article/need_a_ride_metro_a...

Please notice that in this second story, the Greensboro-High Point metro area is defined as including Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties. What LOUSY methodology -- unless YOU WANT AN OUTCOME THAT SAYS WE NEED MORE METRO BUSING.

So, to sum up: We get a Brookings Institution-based study saying the Triad is a "gas-guzzling" area, followed by another Brookings Institution study that says our metro bus system really needs improvement. This is coordinated media propaganda, and the News & Record is doing its yeoman's work by simply repeating what its been told without even bothering to check sources.

This is all a push for regionalism and sustainable development, neither of which are conducive to personal freedoms and liberty.