There are less cars on the Long Island Expressway. That is what a new survey by the DOT has pointed out. At this time last year, the DOT cataloged that there were an extra 5000 drivers per day during the summer as the beaches and parks in Nassau and Suffolk counties were opened to the public. This year, there is a decline of more than 600 drivers per day. This is not isolated to just the island, the MTA, PATH, and the Port Authority have noticed declines in the number of cars being driven on roads, bridges and tunnels. However, ridership on the LIRR has increased almost 5% over this time last year and use of public transportation has steadily increased.

Many are blaming higher gas prices on the reduction in drivers on public roads in general. Since last summer, gas prices across the nation have risen to historic highs. A gallon of gas, which in June of last year cost an average of $3.19 has gone to a national average of $4.33. In New York, the prices on a gallon of gas has gone up over $1.16 since last June . Experts believe that people will change their habits of vacationing and taking trips if gas goes any higher.

Robert Sinclair Jr., a spokesman for the American Automobile Association has expressed concern that drivers will not be on the American roads this summer if they are to pay higher prices. "Higher gas prices are having a serious impact on motorists' ability to get around."