Since the mid-1990s there has been a decline in car use among young adults, especially among young men. This decrease is associated with both a reduction in the proportion of young adults who hold a full driving licence, and a decline in the average annual number of car miles driven. It is important to understand the factors associated with young adults’ driving behaviour, since this age group may be leading a trend away from car use. The aim of this report is to examine the individual, household, and local area level characteristics associated with driving behaviour in the UK among young adults aged 17—34. Four dimensions of driving behaviour are investigated: whether a young adult holds a full UK driving licence; the number of miles driven in the past 12 months (among those who hold a full UK driving licence);the mode of transport used to commute to work; and the difficulties that young adults report when commuting to work by car. Key findings are: * In total, 65% of males aged 17—34 and 58% of females aged 17—34 held a full UK driving licence in 2009—10. * Net of the effect of other factors (in other words when these have been taken account of), the most important predictors of licence-holding among men and women aged 17—34 are age, area type, level of education, individual income and living arrangement. Other variables found to have a significant association, net of other factors, are economic activity status and housing tenure. * Young men and women living in London are significantly less likely to hold a full UK licence than are those living in other urban areas. Those who live in rural areas are the most likely to hold a full UK licence. * Individual income has a positive association with the likelihood of licence-holding, especially for women. * Even after controlling for other variables (including income and economic activity status), those with intermediate (i.e. GCSE) or advanced (i.e. A levels or a degree) education are more likely to hold a licence than those with no qualifications. This educational gradient is far steeper for young women than for men. * Once other factors are held constant, employed young adults are more likely to hold a full UK licence than those who are unemployed / economically inactive. Additionally, being a full-time student is associated with a lower likelihood of holding a full UK licence among men, but not among women. * Once other socioeconomic characteristics are controlled for in a multiple regression, living in the parental home is associated with a slightly lower likelihood of licence-holding for both men and women. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting