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A record 77% drive to work alone (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19211091/) (poll question in thread)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/carpool_lane.jpgAP - June 13, 2007

WASHINGTON - More people than ever are driving alone to work as the nation's commuters balk at carpools and mass transit.

Regardless of fuel prices, housing and work patterns make it hard for suburban commuters to change their gas-guzzling ways.

From 2000 to 2005, the share of people driving alone to work increased slightly to 77 percent, according to a Census Bureau report Wednesday. Carpooling dropped and the share of commuters using public transportation stayed the same.

More recent statistics — through March — show that few drivers are cutting back despite gasoline prices topping $3 a gallon.
… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19211091/

Carpooling is one of the most effective ways to save gas - it was heavily promoted during World War II. Back then, the average family was larger, commuted shorter distances, often had only the man working. All that has changed and made carpooling harder. Today, large segements of our population are single and can seldom carpool, however motorcycles are allowed in HOV lanes.

Can a way be found to promote carpooling in 2007?

The wife and I havent car pooled much this year. Its not good for my mental health to drive in the part of Tulsa her job is in. <<<< I would find another job if I was her. And seeing she has to use a car during the day for work. That means most of the time we would be in the Accord. That means having to drive a AT. YUK, and driving her car with a smashed in rear bumper cover. Scratchs all over it and a curbed wheel. ( nope not going to do it ) And shes not allowed to drive my car. My Civic would be a rolling wreck like her Accord if I let her drop me off and take my Civic on. Aint going to happen.

So carpooling has been abandoned here. I dont know what her mpg has been of late in the Accord. She has ruined here mileage log. Lost data, no dates. its not worth my time to figure out. But I will keep on keeping on. :)

psy

won't work here either. DH works a strange schedule that includes 12 hour days on the weekend, and goes 40 miles in a different direction. and nobody where i work lives in my area. not to mention i stop at the barn to ride on the way home, and i doubt that a carpooler would want to hang out there. :)