The millennial generation has been shifting away from driving over the past decade and a new report indicates it’s not a temporary trend.
The average number of miles driven by 16- to 34-year-olds dropped 23 percent between 2001 and 2009, according to a report published Tuesday by U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.
Plus, driver’s licensing has continued to decline: the percentage of high school seniors with driver’s licenses fell from 85 percent to 73 percent over the past several years.
“There are many factors at play in the drop in driving among young Americans,” the report said. “Many of those factors – from high gas prices to tougher driver licensing laws – appear likely to last."
The report points to more of an affinity for urban “walkable” communities among young adults as well as the rise of technology-enabled transportation services, such as bikesharing and Uber and Lyft.
Tougher driver’s licensing requirements also could play a role, the report found. Also, the economic recession could have contributed because many young adults are living at home longer.
To see the full report, click here.
