However, a less-widely reported question in that same survey found that 67% don’t actually know how much state gas tax they pay per gallon. Another 20% guessed that it is 28 cents (11%), 45 cents (7%) or 72 cents (2%) per gallon. Only 12.5% knew it is 17.5 cents per gallon.

The survey didn’t ask, but it’s also probably accurate to say that 88% or more of the public also doesn’t know that –

• Virginia’s unfunded transportation needs exceed $100 billion.
• More than 1,700 state bridges are structurally deficient.
• Maintenance needs are annually draining $500 million from construction funds.
• The federal gasoline taxes (18.3 cents per gallon) they pay will soon go to other states because Virginia won’t have enough money to match federal dollars.
• Virginia’s gas tax was last raised 22 years ago.
• A 10-cent gas tax increase would cost the average driver about 15 cents per day.

Ignorance can be blissful. It also can be harmful.