Reps. Warren, Smith, Bauer, Lisa Brown, Ball, Terry Brown, Constan, Geiss, Robert Jones, Kennedy, Kowall, Liss, Lori, Marleau, Mayes, Nathan, Neumann, Polidori, Rogers, Tlaib and Walsh offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 259.

A resolution to declare April 2010 as Car Pool Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Carpooling, also known as car-sharing, ride-sharing, and lift-sharing, is the shared use of a car by the driver and one or more passenger.  In wartime, carpooling was encouraged to save oil.  Since the mid-1970’s carpool projects have been around in a structured form in the United States of America; and

Whereas, Carpoolers use pool members’ private cars for shared journeys, usually to and from work.  Hence, carpooling reduces the costs involved in repetitive or long distance driving by sharing cars. A mutual benefit exists between the driver and passenger(s); and 

Whereas, According to the U.S. Census, in 2007 there were approximately 4,400,000 commuters in the state of Michigan, approximately 83% (3,655,000) of which drive to work alone; and

Whereas, Carpooling curbs both the number of miles put on a car and the amount of money spent on maintenance, while also preventing its premature decrease in value; and

Whereas, The average commute distance is 15.9 miles in the state of Michigan assuming an average of 18.5 MPG, a cost of $2.00 per gallon of gas and a mid-size sedan, the average commuting cost is $231.57 per month; and

Whereas, For every additional 0.5% increase in carpooling we would see 11,000 less cars on the road daily, a reduction in carbon dioxide by 44,000 tons per year, and a $30,500,000 yearly savings for those consumers; and

Whereas, Carpooling would create a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, wear and tear of pavement, cost of maintenance and construction of additional parking structures and green space can be preserved; and

Whereas, Carpooling reduces driving stress and creates a fun and social alternative to driving alone, allowing employees to arrive to work more relaxed and reduce the transportation congestion that inhibits our daily commutes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 2010 as Car Pool Month in the state of Michigan.  The members and the people of the state of Michigan recognize that carpooling is a flexible, convenient and economical way to reach your destination.  Additionally, carpooling is environment friendly; and be it further

Resolved, We encourage all citizens to carpool with neighbors, coworkers, family, and friends to celebrate April 2010 as Car Pool Month.