Driver’s license survey

More than a third of young adults who don’t drive say they are too busy to get a driver’s license-and more than a fifth have no intention of ever learning to drive. Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute surveyed 618 adults under 40 who do not have a driver’s license to find out why. They found that 37 percent are too busy or do not have enough time to get a driver’s license, 32 percent said that owning and maintaining a vehicle is too expensive and 31 percent are able to get transportation from others. Other top reasons for not having a driver’s license: 22 percent prefer to bike or walk, 17 percent prefer public transportation, 9 percent are concerned about how driving impacts the environment, 8 percent communicate or conduct business online, and 7 percent have medical/vision problems or disabilities. Researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak found that while more than three-fourths of the respondents said they plan to someday get their driver’s license, the likelihood decreases with time-from 93 percent of 18-to-19-year-olds to 79 percent of those in their 20s to 65 percent of those in their 30s. Overall, 22 percent have no intention of ever driving-27 percent of men and 19 percent of women.  (MRN)