I think for most people, they can't drive much less than they are. I look at myself, all I really do is drive to work and back, to the gym and to my friends. What can I really cut out? It's not like I go joy riding, or take road trips for the fun of it. I think most people are probably in the same boat.
And the same goes for food. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean you're going to go on a diet and starve yourself.
I think all this means is the rest of the economy will suffer. I pay more for gas and food, so I have less to spend on everything else that's not essential.