If you got a sinking sensation in your stomach reading the previous item, you might breathe a sigh of relief reading this one. Federal statistics tell us fewer youths are rushing to get their drivers’ licenses when they turn 16. In 2006, only 29 percent of 16-year-olds had that laminated card of freedom, compared to 43 percent in 1998.
Several factors appear to be at play. Sure, the sky-high accident rate for teens may have something to do with it. So may the limited availability of highschool-taught driver’s education classes. Rising gas prices might be squelching youthful enthusiasm for the open road, too. Frankly, some youth may see driving—at least at the age of 16—as simply unnecessary.
“They’re just not interested,” says Joe Harder, a Kansas driver’s ed teacher. “They have friends or Mom and Dad to drive them around.” (The Kansas City Star)