Survey Says Solo Drivers In SB Down

According to a survey of 1,049 Santa Barbara residents, six percent fewer people are driving to work alone than they were in 2002. The survey, paid for by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, revealed that 71 percent of the commuters drive alone as opposed to 77 percent five years ago. The group most likely to seek out alternative means were Spanish-speaking respondents, with only 43 percent driving to work alone. While the Spanish-speaking tended to carpool and bicycle to work more, their Anglo counterparts-at least those not driving alone-were more inclined to ride the bus or telecommute. The survey also found that people who worked for businesses that provided some incentive not to drive alone were six percent more likely to find other ways to and from work.