by Marianne Lange

Created on: June 30, 2008

Today, hardly a conversation passes where someone doesn't bring up the topic of gasoline prices. The summer season magnifies the situation and the media adds the final dimension that keeps this issue on the front burner.

One minute I hear reports of impending five dollars a gallon; next, a possible ten cent price break. The actual cost is as volatile as the emotions it evokes. It's easy to hear the outraged activist say to stop buying at certain places where stations are clients of foreign oil moguls, or some say to stop driving. If you live in a rural area, these are not necessarily options. Coming from Central New York, it is easy to see that public transportation is not available in every small village. Where it is available, the routes are limited. Along the same lines, if you need to buy gas, you don't always have multiple choices of vendors. The question then arises as to what people in these areas can do.

I'm a commuter. I always have been. I was raised in the Bronx and one of my first jobs was on Wall Street. I rode the subway for an hour each way to get to and from that job. It was a part of life. Moving upstate, I often found I would get a job and have a 20 mile commute. That's just how it has been. Dealing with it has been part of life. Car pooling was and is the most obvious choice. I did do this and variations of it over the years. When my children were in school and games, clubs, lessons were involved, it wasn't always easy to match commuter schedules as I often rode with women in like positions. The expression, "Every little bit helps," could be heard.

My children are a little older now so I will continue with pursuing commuting. That is one answer. We all live very busy lives so the woman I will be riding with has some of the same limitations as I do but we will commit to riding together at least 2-3 times a week.

Another thing that I have been doing is driving slower. That was one of the issues associated with the drive fifty-five in New York. I usually would drive sixty to sixty five miles an hour. I started to cut back and it does make a difference. I can't tell you the exact mileage but I can tell you that my gas lasts longer and I'm stretching those station stops. If you are a commuter and follow a set path every day, you notice others generally heading on their set paths. I was worried about slowing down the flow of traffic but found others were doing the same. I spoke with another traveling teacher as we walked into our building. He drives a big truck and said slowing down definitely was helping him.

My son brought even further little tips that I have decided to try such as never letting the gas tank go below half. Gasoline evaporates so quickly, keep the tank full. Fill up at night. This was related to condensation issues. These may seem strange or a stretch but they are indicative of how this gas crisis has people thinking.

For those in more rural areas and even city dwellers, we all need to be more deliberate about our trips out and about. No more running down to the quick stop. For a country person, ten miles is not big deal. It needs to become more important. If you are in the city and that quick stop is a few blocks away, stop and go traffic can eat up your gas.

Though a cliche, I would have to say, "Every little bit helps." None of these tips will cost you more and none of them will hinder. Using some collectively might even be the key.

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