Teens today and the driving revolution: ‘I’ll just call Uber’

From: Centre Daily Times

In his USA Today article, “Many teens taking a pass on a driver’s license,” Larry Copeland reflects on the growing driving transformation. A generation ago, any 16-year-old would have rushed to get their license — instead, many of today’s 16-year-olds who still don’t have licenses are now the new norm. They move in groups and ascribe to ride-sharing activities such as Uber. Some have parents who will drive them around. Somehow, driving just isn’t as alluring as it once was.

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According to National Geographic writer, Marianne Lavelle, in her article “U.S. Teenagers Are Driving Much Less: 4 Theories About Why,” U.S. teenagers just aren’t as into driving as they used to be. So much so that Energy Information Administration forecasters acknowledged dramatically altered projections for transportation energy use over the next 25 years. Partly due to a slower population growth, but more so because young people are not only driving less than teens did a generation ago, they aren’t even getting licenses. Other countries like Canada, South Korea and Japan are seeing similar shifts.

The impact of this revolution is reverberating from the auto industry down to energy and transportation sectors. What is behind this socio-behavioral change?

Lavelle cites several theories on why there are fewer young drivers.

• Virtual access diminishes the need for wheels. In fact, the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Michigan says that the percent of young drivers is inversely proportional to the percent of internet users. Virtual contact reduces the need for real-time contact. Kids can put off meeting (face to face) for days and weeks. There is less of a sense of urgency about meeting them — they just “talk” on Snapchat or Instagram. In the end, there is less need to drive to gatherings.
• The Centers for Disease Control reported that from 1983-2010, the number of 19-year-old drivers fell from 87 percent to 70 percent; and for 17-year-olds, the drop went from 69 percent to 46 percent.
• Blame the economy — it’s just too complicated to drive. From a financial aspect, finding a job as a teen these days is challenging. Without a job, they can’t afford to buy the car, let alone the gas. Car insurance rates — especially in urban areas, has skyrocketed. The cost of tires and general maintenance has also increased.
•  It’s a lifestyle choice. Many young people simply choose not to drive. From pragmatic or environmental reasons, many Generation Y members feel that driving is not for them. Some are now able to work from home. Others prefer to carpool with those who do have cars. Some choose to live closer to work and school so they can bike or walk. And some say it is a matter of efficiency — they can make more use of their time by using public transit. When asked, 21.5 percent of young adults without licenses said they did not plan on ever getting one.
• Too busy. A lot of teens say that haven’t had the time to get a license. While getting a license is on their to-do list, kids say they simply have other priorities. This is the procrastination generation. It seems like expectations aren’t what they used to be, and so whatever happens, happens.
• Changing love affair with cars. Today’s teens don’t seem to have the automotive passion that many of their parents did. Although today’s cars can do so much more than drive, these all but digitalized vehicles are much more daunting to approach, making it harder to tinker with or repair.
• The lost “open road.” With so many people on the road, cars have become simply a tool to get from point A to point B. Expressways, texting, traffic snarls and road rage have destroyed the bucolic drive. It is scary out there.
• This isn’t the first time Americans have pared back their driving habits — after the 1970s OPEC oil crisis, miles driven fell about 6 percent, but eventually climbed back by the end of the 1982 recession. This current drop, however, appears more significant. In addition, aging Baby Boomers (who make up the majority of Americans over the age of 55) tend to drive less, so aging of the United States population also plays a role.

LEGAL IMPACTS

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers — with a crash rate four times higher than older drivers. Teens tend to overrate their driving skills and underrate risks on the road. They also have more trouble multitasking — talking to friends, listening to the radio and texting can be disastrous.

In her article, “Youth Driving Laws Limit Even the Double Date,” New York Times writer Kate Zernike says that since 1996, graduated driving laws — those which require periods of supervision and probationary driving before teens can get a full license — have made it more difficult for young people to get licenses. In addition to behind-the-wheel training, there are online course requirements, and ultimately daylight driving restrictions.

CULTURAL IMPACT

With more awareness of the disasters associated with drunk driving, distracted driving and fatigue, many teens (and parents) are opting for car services. There are no parking hassles and of course the subversive freedom from the drinking and driving concern. Kids can go out, party and not have to worry about driving home drunk or high.

Kids may no longer have that burning desire to drive but here are some closing thoughts from one ride-share driver — Scott Van Maldegiam, who loves to drive. He says he loves the opportunity to meet new people. Some of the worst rides become his best stories. And, sometimes, driving has renewed his faith in humanity.

Will driving continue its downward spiral? Who knows. But I know that I will always recall with fondness, the calm of driving on an empty Sunday road, great tunes, the wind on my face, the thrill of using a map to get to an obscure destination, and the mesmerizing way the sound of the pavement unlocked the doors to some great parent- child conversations.