Why are US teenagers driving less?

[Gerald]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15847682


Note: 28 November 2011 Last updated at 00:41 GMT

[Ducimus]

Without reading the article im going to guess:

a.) Cost of gasoline
b.) Internet (in the forms of social networking ala facebook, and online gaming in general).

Neither of which was a factor 15 to 19 years ago.


Now im going to go back and read the article and see if i was right. :O:

[CCIP]

Without reading the article im going to guess:

a.) Cost of gasoline
b.) Internet (in the forms of social networking ala facebook, and online gaming in general).

Neither of which was a factor 15 to 19 years ago.


Now im going to go back and read the article and see if i was right. :O:

Bingo :O:

[vienna]

Without reading the article im going to guess:



http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/Carnac.jpg


Carnac seems to have some competition... :DL

[Ducimus]

Bingo :O:

Yup. :O:

[Jimbuna]

Without reading the article im going to guess:

a.) Cost of gasoline
b.) Internet (in the forms of social networking ala facebook, and online gaming in general).

Neither of which was a factor 15 to 19 years ago.


Now im going to go back and read the article and see if i was right. :O:

You win the cigar :DL

[Catfish]

Hi,
here in Germany for the young generation it has become uncool in a way to drive a car, at least if it's not a hybrid or electrical driven craft.
Wasted resources, billions hungering and a rising CO2 level makes a lot of them in a way despise the SUVs and Mercedes and BMW limousines.
But it's foremost the young and intellectual part, like software engineers and students who think that way.
It is really a shame, the nation who in a way invented a motor-driven car is not capable of using and developing alternative concepts, my 27-year old car needs less gasoline than the newest "Eco" car, this is really ridiculous. Not that there IS any hybrid german car you can buy at all.

As well we have ecological zones here in cities, where you are not allowed to drive with older cars.
So a new 2,5-ton Porsche SUV needing up to 70 liters/100 kilometers may drive there, while my 4,4 liter/100km Quantum may not.
Really "ecologic" green logic LOL

[August]

Hi,
here in Germany for the young generation it has become uncool in a way to drive a car, at least if it's not a hybrid or electrical driven craft.
Wasted resources, billions hungering and a rising CO2 level makes a lot of them in a way despise the SUVs and Mercedes and BMW limousines.
But it's foremost the young and intellectual part, like software engineers and students who think that way.
It is really a shame, the nation who in a way invented a motor-driven car is not capable of using and developing alternative concepts, my 27-year old car needs less gasoline than the newest "Eco" car, this is really ridiculous. Not that there IS any hybrid german car you can buy at all.

As well we have ecological zones here in cities, where you are not allowed to drive with older cars.
So a new 2,5-ton Porsche SUV needing up to 70 liters/100 kilometers may drive there, while my 4,4 liter/100km Quantum may not.
Really "ecologic" green logic LOL

So what does this do to my dream of driving a 60's vintage American muscle car down the autobahn?

Will Dieter look at me with disapproval?
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/legacy_images/dawgsports/images/admin/Dieter_Sprockets_small_closeup.jpg


:DL

[vienna]

So what does this do to my dream of driving a 60's vintage American muscle car down the autobahn?

Will Dieter look at me with disapproval?


Perhaps...he may not let you touch his monkey...

But if you took him for a ride, he might feel just like a little schoolgirl... :)

http://bookling.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/sprockets.jpg

[August]

True fact. I have cousins that look just like that. :yep:

[Kongo Otto]

So what does this do to my dream of driving a 60's vintage American muscle car down the autobahn?

Will Dieter look at me with disapproval?
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/legacy_images/dawgsports/images/admin/Dieter_Sprockets_small_closeup.jpg


:DL

First of all it would be a pretty expensive drive with our Gas Prices right now (~1,95 $ per liter Premium), but with a huge amount of Fun anyway.


And about Dieter:
Yeah baby yeah!! :har:
http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/mike_myers.jpg

[CaptainMattJ.]

well i cant say the same with my friends. we like to go cruisin to the beach and lay down some spankings in volleyball.

Of course,i was thinking more of the fact that its harder nowadays to get a car. THe finances, the increased child labor laws, insurance, ect.

I mean, most of the people at my school who had anything of a social life loved to get out there. Cept when i was 15 and a half all i could try to do was run through hoops to get hired, needing a work permit and everything.

But yea, i see how the online thing could also be an influence. I always hear my mother complaining about kids in the future somewhat like a scene from wall-e when i visit her from college.

[August]

When I was youngster I drove my share of military wheeled and tracked vehicles on those wonderful German highways. As we ground along at 35-40mph I would often daydream about being in one of these instead. Cruising along with the top down, wind blowing my long 1970's hair, a buxom fraulein (or three) snuggled up at my side, Lynyrd Skynyrd blasting on the 8 Track.

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3763/full/pontiac-gto_69.jpg

[Kongo Otto]

When I was youngster I drove my share of military wheeled and tracked vehicles on those wonderful German highways. As we ground along at 35-40mph I would often daydream about being in one of these instead. Cruising along with the top down, wind blowing my long 1970's hair, a buxom fraulein (or three) snuggled up at my side, Lynyrd Skynyrd blasting on the 8 Track.

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3763/full/pontiac-gto_69.jpg

You have really ggooood daydreams!! :yeah:
And a good taste in Cars.
My personel Daydream:
Doing the Car chase from Bullitt with a Dodge Charger.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSRmC5GGYuI/S0h-wqdL43I/AAAAAAAAUuI/1bUQodS9jbI/s400/1968+Dodge+Charger.jpg

[1480]

More like the chase in the French Connection in a 67 or 68 (whichever the 1st run for those were) Mustang convertible....though your daydreams will suffice.

[Skybird]

By today'Smodern standards, I'm a pervert - I do not like to drive, and I do not enjoy travelling by car. Never liked it. And the freedom thing - I feel freed again once I can leave that tin can I was imprisoned in.

Never understood that fetish over cars. To me, they are just a tool that I hate to need in an according situation, like you also do not like needing to use a gun in self-defence.

The erotic appeal of the right after-shave. The whiter-than-white washing washing powder. The better-thanbest tooth paste. The freedom of the wide, wide world when powning the right car. Yeah, sure, I believe it. Everyday I see the tin-lindworm on the streets in the morning, and in the late evening. :O:

[Gerald]

Car has a sense of freedom, which few vehicles can deliver today, :sunny:

[Jimbuna]

Car has a sense of freedom, which few vehicles can deliver today, :sunny:
Never had a motorbike then?

[Gerald]

Never had a motorbike then? Motorbike, also yes :DL

[Jimbuna]

Tennis as well :O:

[Gerald]

:o :haha:

[Jimbuna]

:salute:

[Spyguy101]

I just got my licence at 18 and I can say that driving is not that much fun, I find it stressful. Stay in your lane, dont go fast, watch your blindspots, I trust you but not the other drivers, fill the tank so I can take it later, insurance is do this week, I blew a tire you need a new one (these are all things my parents have told me). Only time I drive is when i'm going to my three jobs to pay for a car. Freedom would be nice but I feel like I will never get it behind the wheel, or on the ground for that matter.

[Sailor Steve]

insurance is do this week
"due" :sunny:

[Sledgehammer427]

-raises hand-
20, grew up driving International, Case, Farmall...etc, Cars jsut became faster tractors.
And then I made them faster tractors :D

My 95 Olds cutlass was practically a rumrunner. no backseats, scanner, CB, radar... polished ports, new and quiet exhaust, complete sleeper and boy I loved it. Kid I sold it to has no idea what he actually got.

The rolling hills of NW Illinois was an excelent place to learn how to race...and avoid deer.

[Platapus]

Stay in your lane, dont go fast, watch your blindspots, I trust you but not the other drivers, fill the tank so I can take it later, insurance is do this week, I blew a tire you need a new one (these are all things my parents have told me). Only time I drive is when i'm going to my three jobs to pay for a car. Freedom would be nice but I feel like I will never get it behind the wheel, or on the ground for that matter.

I hate to sound like a bitter grumpy old man (which I am) but, Welcome to being an adult. It is down hill from now. :up:

:D

[Spyguy101]

I hate to sound like a bitter grumpy old man (which I am) but, Welcome to being an adult. It is down hill from now. :up:

:D Yes, i'm quickly learning that growing old sucks, even at the ripe old age of 18. :shifty:

[Platapus]

Yes, i'm quickly learning that growing old sucks, even at the ripe old age of 18. :shifty:

How does it feel to know that the best times of your life are probably behind you? :D

Nah, Life gets better the older you get. It just gets better in different ways. :yep:

[Sailor Steve]

Oh yeah. Hearing your kids call you "daddy" is one of the best things ever. Age doesn't really hit you until they start complaining about feeling old.

Or, as my dad said when I complained about my elder daughter turning 21, "Let me tell you a secret. People in their seventies really don't appreciate listening to children in their fifties whine about feeling old."

[Jimbuna]

I still get a huge kick out of the way my son ends his emails to me when he's away at sea....totally different to the way he talks to you in person :sunny:

[yubba]

It's not so much that they ask for the keys you also have too give them a hundred bucks too fill the car up:woot:

[Jimbuna]

It's not so much that they ask for the keys you also have too give them a hundred bucks too fill the car up:woot:

LOL :DL

[Sailor Steve]

When I joined the navy rather than stay in college for a second year, my dad took the money he had already set aside and bought himself a slightly used '67 Corvette convertible. When I came home from Vietnam in the summer of 1970 I was getting ready to pick up my girlfriend at UCLA. Figuring my dad wouldn't let me touch his new toy, I said "Is it okay if I take the Buick?"

Dad replied "No way. that's your stepmom's family car."

With visions of renting a car or taking a cab, I jokingly said "So I have to take the 'Vette?"

Much to my surprise my dad smiled and said "I'm afraid so."

As he handed me the keys there was no lecture. He just said "I'm only going to say three things - It's red. You're young. They'll be looking for you."

I never did anything that would make them look too hard.

[gimpy117]

Because Gas ir REALLY EXPENSIVE and we have no money. When gas was cheap you could drive for fun, now It's Point A->B

[Falkirion]

Haha Steve your dad sounds like a pretty good bloke to me. Alot like mine actually.

I've been driving since I was 18, my dad is fine with how I drive the car and never critiques my technique (Most of which was learnt from him, and before that copius amounts of Daytona USA) but my mum, yeesh it's like I'm still on my L's despite being a fully licensed driver.

Then again I do have a mate who just got his license. On his P's (Probationary license) at 25!

That reminds me, my car needs a wash. Back later.

[Sailor Steve]

A couple more stories.

I got my learner's permit at 16, found out I could only drive with an adult in the car, but could ride a motorcycle with no passengers; in fact couldn't have anyone else on the bike. "Hey, dad? You know that little Honda you got to ride to work and never did?" When my permit expired after six months I renewed it rather than get my license.

The last time I visited my sister she told me of the hard time she had when dad paid for her to take flying lessons. I said that I never got to take flying lessons. She retorted that she never got to drive the Corvette. When we brought it up to our dad he looked at her and said "But Steve never wrapped one my cars around a tree!"

[Jimbuna]

Great story, great memory Steve :DL

My late father was similar to yours with regard to his son driving his vehicles at an early age :sunny: