Effects of High Gas Prices, Road Congestion, Tolls, and Eminent Domain on the Minds of Texans

June 25, 2008

Results of a just released poll reveal rising fuel costs are seriously causing Texans to re-think how to get around, and many are considering staying close to home this summer.

“As we know, most Texans highly value the freedom of driving and owning their own car, but our survey shows the pinch of rising gas prices, increased congestion, and the costs of transportation projects are changing how people feel about transportation in Texas,” said Daron Shaw, Lyceum pollster and Professor at the University of Texas.

“Perhaps the number that sums it up best is the response to rising gasoline prices; more than half of those polled (51%) are strongly considering not taking a summer vacation.” Shaw continued. “They want less congestion on the roads, and hope their governments will put more money into public transportation. But they don't like gas taxes and toll roads.”

Shaw said the survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, contains evidence that Texas drivers are looking for alternatives to the status quo. For example: 66% would strongly consider buying a hybrid car or a more fuel-efficient vehicle; almost two-thirds, (63%) said they would strongly consider carpooling; and over half, (53%) said they would strongly consider taking public transportation to work or to school.

The poll also tested how Texans feel about increasing taxes on gasoline to pay for new transportation projects and road maintenance, showing that most (60%) strongly oppose such a move.

“This may give policy makers pause as they look to using the gas tax to either generate revenue or encourage conservation," said Professor Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, who assisted in the survey.

“When it comes to paying four bucks for a gallon of gas, Texans appear more likely to consider buying a hybrid, carpooling, or taking public transportation than they are likely to approve of increasing gas taxes at the pump,” Henson continued. “This seems to make the resurrection of any legislative proposals to increase the gas tax, already pretty unlikely, dead on arrival in the next legislature.”

Other interesting poll findings include: Nearly every Texan surveyed owns a car and they drive a lot: 88% said they own a vehicle and most use their own vehicles to drive to work. Not surprisingly, Texans think something ought to be done about traffic congestion, with 49% saying it's "very important" compared to other issues facing the state and 35% saying it's somewhat important. Three-fourths (75%) said they would support regional rail systems connecting adjacent cities like Dallas and Fort Worth or Austin and San Antonio.

Texans are willing to spend more on roads, but 51% of respondents said they oppose the state using its power of eminent domain to secure right of way for new transportation projects. Texans oppose tolls on new roads, and they like it even less on existing ones. On new roads, 66% oppose tolls (including 46% who strongly oppose them), and on existing roads, opposition to tolls climbs to 69% (including 53% who strongly oppose tolls on existing highways). Slightly more than half support "the state of Texas allowing private business contractors to handle transportation projects and improvements." 53% favor the private work, another 41% really don’t like the idea, and only 6% are undecided. A majority strongly favors a ban on drivers using cell phones. 60% would "strongly" or "somewhat" support a ban on cell phone use while driving, even though more than a third of respondents said they used cell phones while driving.

“We are extremely proud to share the results of the second annual Texas Lyceum Poll with the media and the general public,” said 2008 Lyceum President John Boettiger. “The subject matter and timing couldn’t be better as our local, state and national leaders look for new ways to tackle the difficult policy challenges of transporting Texans and the goods we buy and sell more efficiently and safely in the midst of record high fuel prices.”