Air Pollution Impacts on Economy

Driving costs money -- plain and simple. But do you really know just how many driving costs there are? The cost of driving includes far more than your weekly tank of gas and your occasional oil change. First off, there are two types of costs, the cost paid for by the driver (internal) and the cost imposed on someone else (external). Look below to find out more on what each cost entails.

Internal costs: The cost drivers have to pay
The most obvious internal costs imposed by cars are those that you, as a driver, have to pay out of your own pocket. Did you know that according to the American Automobile Association in 1999 if you bought a new car and drove it 15,000 miles a year for four years, it would cost you $7,050 a year in the U.S.? That's $19.31 a day and 47 cents a mile and that was 3 years ago! Imagine what the price is now! Click on the link above to find out more.

External costs: The hidden costs of driving
Vehicles also impose costs on resources that are non-financial like clean air, clean water and quiet. These three important costs are often overlooked, tucked away and frequently neglected. And have you ever thought about who pays for highway construction, public parking, congestion, or urban sprawl? If you guessed everyday people and taxpayers, which both include people who don't even drive, you're correct! Surprised? Well, click on the link above to find out more.

Would you like to know how much driving is costing you? Use this easy worksheet to calculate your costs.