01515853

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2452-08

In recent decades, young adults in North America, Australia, and much of Europe have become less likely to obtain a driver’s license. Research into this trend is only recently emerging, yet it is likely to have important impacts on public transport and road planning. Little is known about the attitudes of young adults toward cars and driving and how these attitudes affect the decision of whether to acquire a driver’s license. This paper presents the results of a survey of more than 200 young adults in Melbourne, Australia. The survey explores the relationship between possession of a driver’s license and demographics, life stage, use of social media, and attitudes, as well as the reasons why some young adults do not have a driver’s license. Although most young adults find that a car provides independence, they also see it as a big responsibility; they are much less likely to equate a car with success in life. Nondrivers say that they would rather spend money on other expenses and believe that they can get where they want to go without driving. The policy implications of the results are discussed, and future research directions are suggested.

01556363

14-1183

English

pp 62–70

2014

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309295390

Print

Figures (7) ; References (18) ; Tables (2)

Attitudes; Automobile driving; Driver licensing; Modal shift; Trend (Statistics); Young adults

Melbourne (Australia)

Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 2:27PM

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