Many teens shrugging off idea of getting driver’s licence

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Who needs a car these days? Fewer teens are bothering to get their drivers licence, compared to just ten years ago.

Technology appears to be the culprit, not the high price of gas, according to research laid out in the latest edition of Maclean’s magazine.

“Experts will tell you gas prices are only a small part of this,” explains Kate Lunau, assistant editor of Maclean’s.

“Kids just don’t need to jump behind the wheel of a car to go see their friends anymore, the way they used to do,” she notes. “The biggest reason, which is really fascinating, I think, seems to actually be the Internet.”

Lunau adds research shows that many would rather have a smart phone than a car because so much social interaction happens online.

“I think car culture as we know it is changing dramatically, if not sort of dying off,” she says.

Virtual contact has been replacing physical contact; kids are watching movies, playing games, and chatting.

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