Higher prices at the pump apparently haven't done much to curb Utahns' desire to travel.
Only 21 percent of the respondents in a KSL/Deseret News poll said they have changed their travel habits — the rest have not. Fewer than that, only 19 percent, said they are making an effort to carpool more often.
"That's kind of what we have found as well," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "Auto travel is going to be fairly strong this year."
Dan Jones & Associates contacted 611 households in a statewide poll April 7-12, with an error margin of plus or minus 4 percent.
Only 5 percent of those surveyed said they use public transportation more often.
The only significant change appears to be whether people are "consciously" cutting back on "less-essential" driving. Of those polled, 41 percent said they're cutting back, while 59 percent said they're not.
And with gas prices now going down, auto travel is naturally expected to increase.
The average gas price in Utah fell by 3 cents from last month's record-high average of $1.69 per gallon — the national average is $1.60 per gallon.
Also supporting Fairclough's prediction are reports that the war in Iraq, health concerns in Asia and a sluggish economy are impacting people's desire to travel overseas. "But they still want to get away," she said.
"I think what is a better determiner of travel is the economy," she added. "When people feel secure with their own jobs and they feel secure with the economy, they seem more willing to travel."
Utah Travel Council research coordinator Jon Kemp agrees. He said Utah's national parks, Lake Powell, Wasatch Mountain State Park and various outdoor recreation areas will continue to be popular destinations for auto travelers.
"Generally, gas prices don't have a huge effect on travel demand," he said. Those who are traveling less, he said, were probably doing so due to factors such as safety and economy before gas prices rose.
E-MAIL: sspeckman@desnews.com