That sort of response is what really sets me off. First, the reality of our oil crisis was that it didn't affect everybody here. Not once in my area (Northeast Ohio) did I wait in line for gas, nor did I witness anyone waiting in line. In Iraq, citizens not only are faced with waiting in lines with no guarantee that they'll get gas, but may have to fight for it since half of the people in line are heavily armed.
As compared to what's going on in Iraq, I would say our oil crisis is more like a minor disruption. Think of it as a "crisis by American standards" in which we were inconvenienced to some degree. The "crisis" portion of the oil disruption was shouldered in the heavily populated urban areas where the poor live. But what else is new? Generally speaking, the poor pay more for gas in good times and when oil distribution sours they get the first taste of the lemon.
Strangely, even though most everyone at the time thought we were in a real crisis, a good portion of people opted to stay in their cars and idle through drive-thrus at banks and burger joints. Since the 1970s, the number of drive-thru businesses has increased a hundredfold. Oddly, or maybe I should say, predictably, few seem to not want to recognize the correlation between wasting gas and rising gas prices.
To avoid another oil disruption, the big thinkers at the automakers had the big idea to build smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. But over time, as gas prices stayed low and in plentiful supply, which was supported by our government's laissez-faire energy policy, the automakers chose to build gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks. Driven by the want to maximize profits, the senseless, needless waste of fuel was not on the short list for consideration, even though we were not that far removed from the disruption of the 1970s.
Having just returned from a driving vacation in Florida, I have to wonder what's in store for future travel in the United States. It was hardly a "vacation" when I found myself traveling at 70-plus mph in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Posted speed limits are merely ornamental, and waiting in construction zones is considered part of normal travel. Obviously, traveling at higher speeds and inching through construction zones wastes tremendous amounts of gas. We have the technology to alleviate both of these problems but choose not to for the most part. Instead, the best we can do to control speeders is post state troopers (in their idling cars) at "hot" spots so they can meet their quotas. On the construction front, we post signs a couple miles from the construction zone and expect drivers to funnel in an orderly fashion. Ha!
With no apparent sign that there is a shortage of gasoline, motorists will continue to use it as long as it remains affordable. At this point, though, affordability is teetering on the brink.
What will happen if people curb their vehicle usage due to higher gas prices? Nothing could be plainer. Parked vehicles means fewer miles driven, which equates to fewer parts needed. It is my contention that if we drive down wastefulness, we will not only conserve fuel but also drive down its cost. That will permit more people to drive, which is good for our market. Why don't we insist that federal and state governments work toward that goal? Perhaps we're just waiting for the railway system to make a comeback.
Larry Silvey, a 25-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, is editor-in-chief of Aftermarket Business and Editorial Director for the Advanstar Automotive Group, which consists of Aftermarket Business, Motor Age, ABRN and Styling and Performance.
