Have we reached "Peak Car?"

[troutman]

Project Calgary: Driving losing lure for teens in province

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Pr...197/story.html

Alberta Transportation figures show there were actually fewer young drivers aged 16 to 17 in the province in 2010 (58,682) than there were in 2001 (60,663), even as the number of 16-to 20-yearolds in the province grew by more than 22,000 over that period.

As well, the percentage of Albertans aged 16 to 20 with a driver's licence declined over the past decade - 72 per cent in 2010 compared to 78 per cent in 2001.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Yep, that's kind of what I was getting at earlier. Driving has become too easy and boring, so the thrill is gone. Manual transmissions force you to pay attention and be involved, which in the end is always more satisfying.

More time to look around at the scenery.

The fascination some have with manual transmission has always been mystifying to me . . . . . maybe because I had to drive a grain truck with a split shift, dual transmission at one time in my formative years. I also had a few stick shift autos.

Manual transmission all the way for me.

I like highway driving and I like to go highway driving to new and old places every weekend. I just don't like driving in cities much, mostly because everyone is inferior to me, which is the opinion everyone else has of themselves too.

I am quite cognizent of the Marchetti Wall.

About 13 years ago, I lived near the downtown but found my commute home from outside the city was exceeding an hour and it was starting to bother the heck out of me. I moved to the country, halfway between my offices, and now my commute, even to my office in a certain part of the city, is only 25 minutes, mostly on the highway. My stress level plummetted within a month of moving.

But the one hour Marchetti Wall was indeed the breaking point.

Cowperson

[Tinordi]

Among university students an internet connection is more important than owning a car:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns1120/index.html

[freedogger]

The only reason I don't own a manual is in case I injure an arm or a leg, it is usually possible to still drive. Since first getting my license, a broken hand, kneecap, ribs, collar bone and I've always been able to get to work.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by freedogger

The only reason I don't own a manual is in case I injure an arm or a leg, it is usually possible to still drive. Since first getting my license, a broken hand, kneecap, ribs, collar bone and I've always been able to get to work.

You know, that's how GM marketed the first automatics in the 40's. It was a bit of a catchphrase during the war:

"An Oldsmobile will get you there even if you break your driving bones".

[freedogger]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

You know, that's how GM marketed the first automatics in the 40's. It was a bit of a catchphrase during the war:

"An Oldsmobile will get you there even if you break your driving bones".

Too funny!

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by troutman

Project Calgary: Driving losing lure for teens in province

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Pr...197/story.html

Alberta Transportation figures show there were actually fewer young drivers aged 16 to 17 in the province in 2010 (58,682) than there were in 2001 (60,663), even as the number of 16-to 20-yearolds in the province grew by more than 22,000 over that period.

As well, the percentage of Albertans aged 16 to 20 with a driver's licence declined over the past decade - 72 per cent in 2010 compared to 78 per cent in 2001.

It's not even Alberta I don't think. Maybe it's just people I know, but my small group of friends out here in Ontario. One got a license because his dad practically forced him to. The others got their licenses at 22 and 23. They never felt the need to drive anywhere or use a car because:
A) I have a car and I drive everywhere
B) Their parents will go get them anywhere.

[PYroMaNiaC]

Originally Posted by troutman

Project Calgary: Driving losing lure for teens in province

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Pr...197/story.html

Alberta Transportation figures show there were actually fewer young drivers aged 16 to 17 in the province in 2010 (58,682) than there were in 2001 (60,663), even as the number of 16-to 20-yearolds in the province grew by more than 22,000 over that period.

As well, the percentage of Albertans aged 16 to 20 with a driver's licence declined over the past decade - 72 per cent in 2010 compared to 78 per cent in 2001.

Some of the issue is the licensing method.

When I was teen, you went and got your learner's license. Your Dad taught you to drive for two years, then you went and got your driver's license. It was a rite of passage. You learned how to change the oil, how to change the spare, how to drive a standard, how to love the feel of the wheel and you got to spend time with your Dad.

Things changed and pretty soon, it was very difficult to pass the drivers exam and car insurance costs sky rocketed without driver training. Dad's involvement was greatly reduced and along with that, all the rewards he brought to the table. It became a necessary task with a lot less fun involved.

Now, kids don't have the patience for it. They might go and get their learners license, and they'll probably take their driver training. At 16, they'll even go and get their probationary license, but they'll quit there. It's another 2 years for them to get their Class 5. And it's another exam and it's more money for them to complete their GDL. We live in an environment designed for immediate gratification and this type of licensing doesn't offer that.

With age/experience restrictions now, a person can't even get their Class 5 until they're 18. There are a lot of things on the go at this age and maybe the third stage gets shuffled to the back of the line. By this time, Dad's busting his hump to help with living expenses or secondary education expenses and the kid doesn't even live at home anymore. If the love of driving hasn't been passed along at this point, it's not going to happen.

To be clear, I'm not against the GDL. There are too many bad drivers on the road as it is. (Although, often the training and the exams are designed to either pass or fail, not demonstrate consideration, patience, and thinking on your feet.) It just seems to me that driving has become a chore in all aspects, from getting your license to your daily commute.

[STeeLy]

^+1

Definitely agree.

As I mentioned on the vehicular geekery thread (or whatever it's called). Too many people view a vehicle as a method of getting from A to B. The enjoyment of driving is lost to many. People who enjoy cars and enjoy driving are really becoming a rarity.

[octothorp]

Every time I see this thread title, I think:



I have no useful input to the thread beyond that.

[JohnnyB]

I quite enjoy driving and definitely love motorcycles but I'm all for the end of the age of cars. Of course I don't mean we should be rid of them altogether, but a time in which private car use is dramatically reduced and replaced with more efficient systems sounds great, and it's more and more achievable as the world's population moves into cities.

Unfortunately, where I live is definitely not at peak car yet. New cars are being purchased at ludicrous rates while owning an apartment and a car is the 'American Dream' of the new Chinese middle class.