May 27, 2004

Street Talk by Shari Kaplan

In light of the high (and rising) gas prices, how have your driving habits changed? Also, have gas prices affected your summer travel plans?
(Asked at Almaden Center)


“I think the gas prices are a real annoyance, but I haven’t really done anything to adjust. I still have to run my carpools and take my kids lots of places. However, this is the first year we’re asking our kids’ friends to pitch in for the gas when they use our ski boat.”

Chandra Adkins, 40
Almaden Valley
Homemaker and artist

“Gas prices haven’t affected our habits or our summer plans yet, but they may affect our future car purchases—no more big V-8 engines! Also, we’ll definitely be looking at a car’s fuel economy. There aren’t any [electric-gas] hybrids currently that interest me, but there are some hybrid SUVs coming later this year that I might consider.”

Ron Zraick, 45
Willow Glen
Real estate developer

“I walk more to swim practice, and I try to run errands on foot more. I don’t drive all that much. My friends and I were planning a road trip after we graduate, but I don’t think it’s dawned on us how much it’ll cost for gas. I think we’ll still go, through. Gas prices are a hot topic at school these days.”

Elizabeth Hoyt, 18
Almaden Valley
High school student, lifeguard and violin teacher

“During the work week, my schedule hasn’t changed because I carpool anyway. On the weekends I like to hang out in Santa Cruz and that definitely won’t change, even though it’s about 30 miles away and it’s in an SUV. I was planning a couple of trips to San Diego this summer, but I may fly instead, because it’s probably cheaper to fly than to drive.”

Rajbir Rai, 24
Almaden Valley
Systems engineer

“My parents have already started telling me I’ll have to pay for all my gas when I get a car, so I’m already starting to save. When I’m at the mall, I try not to spend as much. My mom gets mad when we pull into a gas station and she sees the prices. She’ll go out of her way to find the best prices.”

Julia Machado, 15
Almaden Valley
High school student

“The gas prices aren’t going to change my summer plans because my plans involve traveling by motorcycle, which gets 40 to 45 miles per gallon. I won’t let the high prices change my mood until I get back from my trip, then I’ll do my best to make sure the current administration doesn’t get re-elected; I think this is all their doing. I plan on buying the Ford Escape hybrid SUV when it comes out in November, and I hope to get on the waiting list for it next week.

Tom Pansarasa, 51
Almaden Valley
Manager