A train on the Washington, D.C. Metro public transit system. (AP photo)

(CNSNews.com) - The high price of gasoline has caused more than half of the nation’s adult population to make “major changes” but has driven only about 2 percent of Americans out of their cars and trucks and into public transportation systems, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll.

In a survey conducted May 12-15, Gallup asked 1,024 American adults: “Have you made any major changes to deal with rising gas prices, or not?”

Fifty-three percent said they had made major changes, 46 percent said they had not, and 1 percent had no opinion.

Of the 53 percent who said they had made a major change to deal with rising gas prices, 4 percent said they had decided to use public transportation. That works out to 2.1 percent of the total sample.

The most popular change—among the 53 percent who said they had made a major change—was to drive less and stay home more. Thirty-two percent of those who made a change said they had done this.

That was followed by 16 percent (of the 53 percent who said they had made a major change) who said they were travelling and vacationing less, 15 percent who said they were getting a more fuel efficient car, 15 percent who said they were being more practical about running errands and trips, 12 percent said they were doing less leisure driving, and 12 percent said they were cutting back on other expenses.

Only 2 percent of the 53 percent who said they had made a major change--or slightly more than 1 percent of all American adults—said they were cutting back on their energy use.

Only 1 percent of the 53 percent who had made a major change said they were driving slower or less aggressively.

On average, respondents said they are paying $4.00 per gallon for gasoline. In a March 3-6 Gallup survey, respondent said they paid an average of $3.45 per gallon.