Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Gas Price Worries Subside for Americans

May 30, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer adults in the United States say they have been negatively affected by higher fuel prices, according to a poll by ICR released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 27 per cent of respondents say the gas price hike has caused a serious financial hardship in their household, down nine points since April.

In addition, 30 per cent claim high gas prices have hit them financially, but not in a serious manner, while 42 per cent say they have not been economically affected by this matter.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel reached a record high on May 24 at $3.22 U.S. The average price was $2.79 U.S. in mid-April, and $2.54 U.S. in March.

On May 25, Iowa governor Chet Culver called on federal lawmakers and the president for help, saying, "There doesnt seem to be a reasonable explanation from the industry why gas prices are soaring well above $3 per gallon going into Memorial Day weekend. Now more than ever it is clear we need to wean ourselves off foreign oil, and there is no better positioned state than Iowa to do just that. (...) I encourage Iowans to explore flex-fuel options as we continue to work to find new and efficient alternative fuels."

Polling Data

Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not? If Yes: Has that been a serious hardship, or not serious?

Source: ICR / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted from May 17 to May 21, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.