Americans conserved at the gas pump?

I couldn't find a great deal of information that highlighted this, so if you have links to more please let me know. It suggest however the frustration from a conservation standpoint and how Americans consumption appetite is without end. I assumed Americans would've conserved gas over falls high prices to help encourage the price market shift downward. In fact, it was the opposite, and one that is a disappointed criticism directed at Americans in general.

Contra Costa Times

As overall gasoline consumption has increased despite record prices, premium fuel has taken a hit. Nationwide, daily volume of high-octane gasoline sold in the first nine months of this year fell 6.4 percent from the same period last year, while purchases of mid-grade gasoline dropped 3.6 percent, according to the Energy Information Administration, an arm of the Energy Department. The volume of regular gasoline sold rose 4.3 percent.

Mercury News

Driving habits haven't changed as gas prices rise, then drop
Q I think gas prices will have to go a lot higher ($5-plus) to see a significant shift from driving alone to taking transit.
A Sadly, you may be right.

Q The price of gas didn't affect my driving a bit. And with that four-lane from Gilroy to San Jose and back -- 85 all the way, baby!
A The gas tank has hit empty.