Rising gas prices are having an impact on Ontarians’ road trip plans now that they are higher than $2 per litre, according to a survey published by CAA South Central Ontario on Thursday. .The survey said 76% of respondents said they had a road trip in Ontario planned, 26% will be travelling outside the province, and 23% anticipate heading to the United States. .For the people who are planning a road trip, 64% of these respondents said gas prices are likely to affect their plans. .Some travellers said they would respond to higher gas prices by limiting the number of trips they take, or driving shorter distances. Other travellers said they would adjust their travel budgets to accommodate high gas prices. .CAA South Central Ontario said there are easy ways to save money on gas. Some of these ways include controlling speed, limiting hard stopping, and avoiding unnecessary idling. .The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has called on the Canadian government to remove fuel taxes at the pump as prices soar..“Canadians are feeling the pain of soaring gas prices and high taxes are making things worse,” said CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano. .“Politicians could immediately make life a little more affordable by providing tax relief at the pumps.”.Ontario Liberal candidate Granville Anderson said there might be a “silver lining” to record high gas prices, because it could lead to people considering alternative transportation methods. .“Maybe that’s a silver lining and that might allow people to think outside the box and say 'maybe I'd better look at seeing if I can ride a bike to work or buy an electric car or find a different mode of transportation,'” said Anderson. .While gas prices could be lower, Anderson said it might “allow us to think twice and probably find another mode of transportation.”.CAA surveyed 1,697 respondents via a CAA Member Matters Panel in south central Ontario from May 27 to June 5. No margin of error was provided.
