March 13, 2008

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Have your driving habits changed with gas prices soaring near the $4 level?
(Asked at the Sonoma Chicken Coop on Almaden Expressway at McAbee)

Yes it has. I think more about where I need to go and if it’s close enough I’d rather walk.”

Elizabeth Langer, 30ish
Cambrian Park
Homemaker


“Yes, I don’t visit my family out of town—in Stockton—as much. I’m a single mom putting my daughter through college.”

Maria Lawrence, 44
Almaden
Background investigator for GE


“A little bit, it depends on where I need to go. I’m trading my mini van for a Prius.”

David Lewis, 52
Almaden
Publisher


“The gas prices are atrocious. I haven’t changed my driving yet, but I could eventually. I don’t know what levels they [the prices] will be going to.”

Mary, 74
Almaden
Retired


“Somewhat, but not much. I mostly just drive around the neighborhood. It won’t affect me unless it goes past $4 per gallon."

Charles Camilleri, 73
Almaden
Retired


“No, I have to drive for work, but I am compensated for the gas. I don’t think they are real happy about the prices. Maybe they will be changing their patterns.”

Lesia Houk, 40
Almaden
Part time piano teacher


“I don’t agree with him. Look at the economy and housing. Everyone is hurting, jobs are slow.”

Jack McCartney, 39
Almaden
Construction


“No, we bought a Prius and my husband uses it for commuting to work in Sunnyvale. I work at IBM, it’s only about 20 minutes from our home.”

Tina Lee
Almaden
Software engineer


“No, because most of my driving is for my commute [to work and back]. Besides I drive a hybrid.”

Diane, 47
Almaden
Researcher


“No, it hasn’t because I have to get around some way. No matter, we’re getting ripped off anyway!”

Peter Barats, 73
Cambrian Park
Retired


“I’m not a big driver. I don’t drive too much and my car gets 28 miles per galloon on the highway and 18 in the city. I also have a truck, but it’s a gas guzzler and I try not to drive it too much, I just use it for work.”

Shadi Mansour, 28
Almaden
Owns a contracting company