Complain about a product or service

Poll: Gas Prices Affecting Quality of Life in America

Consumers Support Refineries and Expanded Drilling

October 21, 2005
High gas prices are seriously impacting the quality of life in America, according to a poll conducted by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. More than 75 percent report that skyrocketing gasoline prices are very seriously (42.3 percent) or somewhat seriously (35.3 percent) impacting their own quality of life.

• OPEC Unable to Stop Gas Prices' Slide • Give Thanks for Falling Gas Prices • Gas Prices Fall Below $2 a Gallon • Oil and Gas Supplies Rise • Gas Prices Accelerate Their Decline • Gasoline Prices Down 19 Cents in a Week • Charlotte Gas Stations Make Refunds to Consumers • Oil Snaps Back As Markets Sense Post-Election Bounce • Gas Prices Settle Still Lower for Weekend • Gasoline Prices Keep Falling • Gas Below $3 Nationwide • Average Gas Price Down to Nearly $3 a Gallon • Gas Prices Drop, Along With Oil • Gas Prices Head Lower as Economy Slows • Gas Price Declines for 9 Days • Gas Prices Continue Downward Trend • Oil Prices Surge By Record $25 a Barrel • Gas Prices Drop for 5 Days • Price-Gouging Probes Spread to 6 States • Investigations of $5 Gas in North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia • Shortages, Price Hikes Follow Ike in Southeast • States Investigate Gasoline Price Gouging Claims • Pumping More U.S. Oil Won't Lower Prices, Consumer Group Says • Oil Prices Fall, Gas Prices Surge • Gas Prices Slide 8 Percent from Record --- • More ...

More than half of those surveyed, 55.8 percent, indicated they will travel less this coming holiday season as a result of higher gasoline prices.

The survey also suggests that Americans are using their credit cards to pay for gas much more frequently now than a year ago. One-third of the respondents who have a car, truck or SUV said they are using credit cards to pay for gas more frequently today than they were one year ago as a result of higher prices.

Those responding to the survey indicated their next car will be smaller and more gas-efficient. Just less than half, 45.2 percent of those who will purchase a new car said they will consider a hybrid vehicle, while 38 percent suggest they will not consider the new hybrids.

When asked about the environment, a large majority, 79.5 percent strongly or somewhat support allowing the federal government to permit new oil refineries throughout the United States as needed.

More than two-thirds, 68.4 percent, strongly or somewhat support allowing expanded drilling for oil in places such as Utah, Alaska and Colorado.

Over half of all respondents, 57.4 percent, noted they strongly or somewhat support lowering highway speed limits to 55 miles per hour.

The Sacred Heart University Polling Institute completed 1,000 interviews with residents nationwide between October 3 and 12, 2005. The sample was generated proportional to population contribution in all 50 states. Statistically, a sample of 1,000 completed telephone interviews represents a margin for error of +/-3.0 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Back to the top |