Young People Are Driving Less—And Not Just Because They're Broke

[KharmaTrain]

4. Influence Of The Insurance Companies...

Back in the stoned ages when I got my license, all I had to do was take 6 weeks of classroom and behind the wheel and got my license on my 16th birthday. There were no restrictions, other than curfew (and my parents) and a lot of young people died in accidents as we all thought we were invincible behind the wheel. Over time the sad toll of little crosses along our roadways meant both government and insurance companies making it more difficult for young people to get licenses.

When my kids went for their license, state law required 30 hours of supervised driving and once they got their licenses they were limited to the number of people they could drive with...as well as constantly rising insurance premiums. Even with good grades adding a teen to one's insurance policy (mandated in many states) is now a luxury fewer and fewer can afford.

The overall cost of driving is forcing people either to drive less or find alternative means of transportation...