Why Are Gas Taxes in New York So High?
New York has the highest gasoline prices in the entirety of the United States, and that can be rough on NY drivers. But gas taxes aren’t the only cost associated with driving. Here’s why gasoline prices are so high — and what you can do to reduce your own personal driving costs.
Why Are Gas Taxes in New York So High?
Ideally, gas taxes are intended to go to the state’s infrastructure, such as developing out, maintaining, and repairing the roads. The states with the highest populations ultimately have the highest taxes, as these populations need to support greater levels of wear-and-tear on the roads and developments.
Why New Yorkers should share a cab? photo/The Wordsmith via Wikimedia
Gasoline taxes are comprised of several components: federal taxes, state taxes, excise taxes, and more. All of these add up at the pump, but they are a part of different systems. While federal taxes may be going to the development of interstate roads, state taxes may be going to the maintenance of public roads, bike paths, and walkways. With everything costing more in New York, it follows that gas taxes would be expensive as well.
As of 2018, New York drivers can expect to pay approximately 40 cents in taxes on every gallon of fuel they purchase. Taxes are calculated by percentage, so this amount rises and falls with gas prices.
What is the Cost of Driving in New York?
On average, insurance costs in New York are also much higher than the rest of the country. In fact, insurance costs in New York average nearly $2,000 a year for NY drivers, in contrast to the sub-$900 levels available throughout most of the country. These higher than average insurance costs are related to increased risk.
Higher population environments naturally have more accidents than other areas of the country. As vehicles and properties also tend to be more expensive, the damage may be more expensive as well. But there are ways that you can save on the cost of driving and the cost of insurance, even in New York.
Want to Save Some Money on Your Wheels?
Though there’s nothing a driver can do about the gas taxes in New York, there are still ways that they can save money while hitting the road. An NY defensive driving course can help you save money by:
- Teaching you about the most common traffic laws violated in NY. Many of these laws are things like parking violations, which can come with costly tickets attached. Knowing about the most common traffic laws violated in NY can also help you preemptively identify potential problem drivers.
- Helping you avoid accidents. An accident can be costly even if you have the right insurance. By learning defensive driving, you can avoid accidents even when you’re surrounded by bad drivers. Defensive driving classes teach you how to reduce your risk by identifying hazards before they become serious.
- Reducing your insurance costs. An NY defensive driving course is often enough to lower your insurance rates. You can inquire with your insurance provider. To qualify, the NY defensive driving course is going to have to meet all the proper qualifications.
It’s true: owning a car in New York is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be as expensive as it is. If you want to save money on insurance and reduce the risk of getting into an accident, sign up for an NY defensive driving course today. These classes will tell you everything you need about being a good driver.
Author: Anwar Hossain
