How Gen Z’s lack of driving could exacerbate the loneliness epidemic

NBC News Dana Griffin explores why Gen Z is driving less than other generations and how the major cultural shift could potentially exacerbate the loneliness epidemic.
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#GenZ #Driving #Loneliness

[@MrStumpson]

Can any Gen Z afford even a used car? Prices are ridiculous

[@RedWhiteNBlade]

BS!!!! a 20 something year old in 2024 should be driving a car from 2004. Not the BMW or kia. People are idiots

[@phoenixmorphix]

@@RedWhiteNBladeummm… that’s what they said.

[@proallnighter]

@MrStumpson I bought a car in this economy. Other Zoomers can too.

[@cur244]

Their Gen X parents pay for everything anyways. Don't think prices are a concern

[@cur244]

@@proallnighter 10 year old cars are more than fine for a first car. You just need something reliable and safe to get around Plenty of 15 year old cars fit that bill. Of course social media tells people they need a new care every 5 years and endless car payments.

[@VoxPopuliPol]

Car dependence is one of the main causes of the loneliness epidemic. The solution is walk-able cities and public transit.

[@wyatttomlinson3475]

That will definitely help, yes.

[@reviewguy12]

💯

[@philosopher1a]

LOL ahh no and no certainly not That is a wef plan

[@VoxPopuliPol]

@@philosopher1a Thanks for your opinion!

[@Dudeguymansir]

Yes, because we all live in cities… 🙄

[@thebookkeeper8551]

Its not driving that is driving loneliness, that is very misleading. It is bad urban planning and development. The way cities are developed, including suburbia affects every aspect of social life because places are not at a walking distance but driving distance. That is the biggest difference. In Europe, places are at a walking diatance and the same model is applied to newly developed cities and towns. In the US, local and state gov don't plan nor develop urban areas that way. Driving you have to find parking and pay for parking, and then you have to worry about traffic and public transportation isn't designed in a pragmatic manner. The US has to change this way of urbanization. Very misleading title, it should be how US gov in the 50's bad urbanization choices hurt Gen Z and everyone in general.

[@tw8464]

You're absolutely right

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

I think that when everyone is driving to places, there's less interaction with the population. When walking, taking public transportation, you might get to discover people and new culture

[@freshmclovin4593]

So you believe over 6 million people can all live in a walkable city 😂😂😂

[@LivingDeadGurlXXX]

Not true. I live in a small suburb community where it has a cul de sac....no one talks to anyone. It a sad. My kids go outside to play...and no one even looks at you. My kids say hi to the others to try and play and they never do...makes me sad.

[@proallnighter]

@@LivingDeadGurlXXX They don’t want to be accused of being pedos. Blame it on social media. Also, people move to the suburbs to get away from other people. Talking defeats that purpose. Also, your kids are happy now that they’re small, but once they get old enough to need a car, things will change.

[@tedtansley1523]

What's really perpetuating the loneliness crisis is the fact that our cities are car centric and that actively prevents people from socializing easily in person. Let's not pretend it is the lack of interest in having and driving a car.

[@Lexster918]

The US has been car centric since the 1950s. The loneliness epidemic is a new phenomenon. Correlation =\= causation.

[@thewewguy8t88]

​@@Lexster918I think it plays a role or is a side effect of the loneliness epidemic but it is connected.

[@gamingwitharlen2267]

Why does everyone have to drive to meet someone in person, i thought this country was based on freedom?@@Lexster918

[@seanthe100]

Japan and South Korea was walkable people are still lonely

[@givemedeath5801]

@@Lexster918If you had a strong economy where people graduate with little to no college debt and are also able to afford rent, then they're also able to afford car and gas. These young people don't have any of that so that carcentricity does start affecting them.

[@Protantagonist]

Gen Z crap aside.......i just wanna say this. I'm a millennial and my mental health game changer was actually quitting driving!! NO MORE worries over gas, insurance costs, tolls, repairs, finding parking spots in an already crowded and congested city, being stuck in traffic especially en route to work in the mornings , rude drivers, drunk drivers, drivers that cut and don't signal.......the list goes on. I've saved sooo much money and sanity by quitting driving, and i've never looked back!

[@npip99]

If you live in a crowded city obv no car is great. But most don't.

[@Uranublet]

You saved so much so that you can get a sportbike and be better than everyone else on the road

[@aterventypityp]

Everyone needs a car. The goal should be to get a job someplace close so you have only a short commute or can even walk to work. I walk to work. Still have a car. After driving so much I realized commuters are losers. Especially if you drive over an hour one way. What r u doing with your life? You like driving??? No you don’t. Stop lying.

[@BrowsePlanet]

I can get lots of groceries in the rain, heat wave, snow...etc in my car with noooooo worries.

[@thewewguy8t88]

My dad actually kind of said the same thing and he is a boomer. That being said as a millennial myself I do think ironicly for me not being able to drive is affecting my mental health and I suspect it's similar to gen z.( I also think not having a job is affecting them too like it did for me)

[@GreedoGangrene]

Not to mention cars are unfortunately one of the ways to trap young people in debt. Car payments, Gas, maintenance, insurance, parts, parking fees, toll, etc.

[@PhaseSkater]

Gas in 2024? Most cars sold are electric now

[@GreedoGangrene]

@@PhaseSkater Brother have u seen the price of an EV? ain't nobody got a loan for that.

[@zelloguy]

Just get an older used car for like $800-$1000. Won't be the prettiest but you'll have a ride.

[@droidgunner3840]

Bahaha 😂 ​@@zelloguy

[@applejuicejunkie316]

@@zelloguy Where have you been for the past 4 years? The Pandemic wiped out the used car market when the newer cars couldn't get computer chips because the of the shutdown. The used cars now cost as much as the new ones.

[@clownkirkpatrick]

It's almost like they don't want to live in a place where you have to drive everywhere when owning a car is more expensive than ever. Build walkable cities and neighborhoods, or good public transit, and this won't be a problem

[@user-uf5gt7pt1d]

Exactly, they’re forced to use a car because of car-dependent cities and their parents drive them everywhere with a car

[@Slips85]

I have an e-bike and so many bike trails around this city and not having to actively share with cars makes it easier and safer to get around. Then I get to work faster than people with cars since they have to park then catch a shuttle to get to campus and I get to park my bike right in the bike lockup that is secure and need badges to get in and right at the front doors.

[@tw8464]

Exactly

[@tw8464]

​@@Slips85exactly. This is actually normal and 100% valid way to get around. People all over the world most don't own cars but get around other ways, bike, scooter, bus, walk, etc.

[@xavierd3298]

Unless your in a European city how is not having a car possible in America

[@ShinjiKataoka]

Self care, sleeping early, thinking about financial priority, eating healthy, no drinking alcohol is way more important than getting a driver's license

[@1HeatWalk]

Need mobility to get better job opportunities.

[@cormaro13]

Sounds like a broke mind set

[@kingcatx2]

So you rather them get in credit card debt, party all night, not get enough sleep, and live at the moment…@@cormaro13

[@kathleenking47]

Drivers licenses for boys, are essential...really Girls too, but not as much

[@roxannetaitano1490]

How did our folks do it? How did we do it? It requires effort..." Phone a friend...50-50" personal responsibility and accountability...ride a bike, walk... We have choices many are not given liberty to. Too many people whine without trying...yet many are surviving because they have the desire and "drive" This generation has not been taught how to. @@1HeatWalk

[@jennifermarie3158]

The whole continent of Europe (I lived there for 4 years) is much less lonely bc people actually walk places and socialize--even after 30. Imagine! It's super depressing to come back to American life where people work, go home, watch tv, repeat.

[@patrickprendergast9589]

yes

[@carkmagus6219]

Imagine an America where you don't need a car to have "freedom" - the car dependence in our country is crippling the middle class like no other

[@lexa_power]

Well tell the republicans to build more public transit

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Jackal Wolf AIA Money

[@yolandaperry86]

Which car manufacturer sponsored this ad?

[@nwsportstilidie]

Nailed it!

[@FadeHook23]

The media makes up anything and runs with it. Research shows not eating breakfast in the morning is the leading cause of loneliness in people.

[@6YJI9]

@@nwsportstilidie @yolandaperry86 Or auto insurance!

[@The_g_string_lover]

All of them!

[@jaketimberlake9023]

fr I own a car and still feel lonely at times because I can't walk to my thrid place or hiking trails, get drained from dealing with traffic that I don't want to go out, then if I want to drink with friends we have to shell out so much money for uber, then lets not forget that wider roads in general literally fracture & pollute communities like man I just want a train, some walkable businesses and not the smell of exhaust 24/7

[@Cryptokelly53611]

Most people in the world do not have cars and actually interact with humans more because of it. Our climate and traffic doesn't need more vehicles on the road anyway.

[@xavierd3298]

Yes in European cities or places like Asia even south American towns are built with that design but in America its nearly impossible to not have a car.

[@jessica3218]

@@xavierd3298America sucks

[@user-le8zj8hd5r]

That’s right! Tokyo has massive transit so they talk with everyone on the buses daily, and there’s no loneliness epidemic there! 😮 Loneliness is DEFINITELY not more severe in cities, and there’s ABSOLUTELY not 32,000 people dying from kodokushi in Japan every year!! 😮😮😮

[@LBLbLbbbb]

@@user-le8zj8hd5rJapanese culture is very different from us culture. Also rural Japan has a lot higher raters of suicide than urban Japan

[@user-ge5pg9wi1z]

What do you know

[@cityonfoot6023]

So it's not lack of driving. It's lack of healthy in-person communication.

[@stoneneils]

Where do you think we did that. In our cars. From age sixteen until we left home..its where we made love, got high, listened to music and hung out talking for hours at night.

[@marijnrepko2828]

@@stoneneils Imagine the amount of people you could meet if you walked and cycled places, because you can actually see their faces as you pass by on them. And better still! Imagine the amount of people you could've known by being able to go out the house on your own BEFORE you were 16. Like say... that playground down the road.

[@snakeofsolid]

​@@stoneneilsreasonably used cars were cheap to buy and maintain then

[@patrickprendergast9589]

so true some places are frendly most are not my observation in the usa

[@stoneneils]

@@marijnrepko2828I gave up driving around 30 years old...i lived downtown on my own at that point, worked blocks away..no need. Two bikes. Today i talk to 20+people every day outside in my hood, how many people can say that. I'm talking about the car as the social spot for teens when living at home in the suburbs. It was our living room away from mom and dad.

[@smpiano6605]

Imagine making a big deal out of a newer generation not driving as much. It's almost as if they're not obligated to have to buy a car and it's almost as if car manufacturers are not entitled to their money...

[@JaguarPriest]

My wife is gen z. But you’re 100% the lazy type of gen z I warn her about.

[@giftsforcrows]

Car insurance prices! Oh and DMV fees . And the fact that new drivers pay more for car insurance . How is that helping youth?

[@MrMannyhw]

Gen Z refuse to be debt slaves. Cars are too expensive.

[@smpiano6605]

@@JaguarPriest What happened to respecting a consumer's choice and wants? You wouldn't want to interfere with the free market now would you? Remember a product isn't worth what you think it should be, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I could hypothetically argue that Taylor Swift's concert tickets are overpriced but a true capitalist would argue they're appropriately priced if her fans are willing to pay for them. So who are you to pocket watch and try to tell other people how they should spend their money? Does Gen Z not live in the land of the free where they are free to not buy cars if they don't want to?

[@nestharus]

@@JaguarPriest I'm a millennial and am also anti-car. I sold my car and haven't driven one since. I bought an e-scooter in its place.

[@xyzhero8480]

Its the prices literally. In the past 20 years cars has gotten 5K - 15k way more expensive. Minimum wage is just not cutting it. Inflation has affected the cost of living and as well as maintenance and upkeep of a vehicle.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

There are still $1000 used cars. That said, the planet benefits from people not driving

[@rickyayy]

It's the cost of insurance that's stopping Gen z

[@xyzhero8480]

​@@veganpotterthevegan ​ A usable as well as in a decent condition used car for 1K yea let me know if you find one bud.

[@moon47underground]

Mf i just bought a mustang for 1500 cash in perfect condition off fb marketplace. Theres countless cars for less than 2k on there. These mfs are lazy all theres to it

[@xyzhero8480]

@@moon47underground Thats great that youre happy with your purchase but a mustang in these hard times good luck with your gas bill my dude.

[@Jspec03]

I think it’s the fact that we are a “car-centric nation. I came from PH where a lot of ppl have no car, and we socialize in pub transpo. Cars make ppl live in their own lil bubble, just like ppl walking in public having their headphones on.

[@PhaseSkater]

Hope you know what PH is short for…

[@nico.salcedo]

Philippines

[@abduwalimuse7482]

@@PhaseSkater I'm sure PH was short for wherever they're from before that stupid site ever even existed

[@dakz9296]

In the Philippines, there are more buses, jeepneys, and other modes of transportation. In the US, we have no choice but to drive. I have often been shamed for not driving as much, although I have a license. I admit that I'm a terrible driver. I can't park properly.

[@jeanpabon2948]

expand public transit, car centric infrastructure has failed us

[@Iceyfire12]

No one will ride Public Transit if it allows “mentally Ill” criminals on it! Public Transit needs to bee screened like at an Airport for it to feel Safer! Also Never Allow any Mentally Ill looking ppl on board!

[@LoganGraceHope]

Except public transport is usually dirty, unsafe, and takes too long. It's a shame too because it could be great.

[@CTHR333]

@@LoganGraceHopeit’s a direct result of lack of funding. Not so bright are you 😂

[@gamingwitharlen2267]

Just go to any European country@@LoganGraceHope

[@monke234saru]

@@LoganGraceHopego to Japan or Europe. Tell me you don’t have a passport without telling me you don’t have a passport 😂

[@nilt6943]

I am a millennial. Selling my car and using the public transport options, which are surprisingly close to my home and I didn't even know how close they were to me!, changed my life. No yelling, no headaches from constant accelerations and breaks, Best thing in the world. I would not have purchased a car in the first place if I had known how easy life would be without it.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@cbpd89]

The only bus route near me closed in 2020 and they never reopened it 🙄 but I have relatively good bike options, so I bike when I can. I would love it if there were more bus and train connections where I live, it's so much better than driving myself and strapping kids in car seats where you can't interact with them and they're too short to see out the window.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

@@cbpd89 In Minneapolis, MN *ALL* of our buses & trains are equipped with bike-racks. This makes it effortless to reach any bus or train stop, within 3-5 miles of my front door and\or drop off 3-5 miles from my destination. Moreover, with these racks on our public transportation, it can even make it easier to bike past stops that are closer to me, in order to reach "Express" routes just a bit further away. With this combination of bike\pub-trans.... in some cases, I get places faster than a car....particularly in rush-hour traffic.

[@stevezelaznik5872]

@@xjarheadjohnson I used to live in Minneapolis and 100% agree with you.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

@@stevezelaznik5872 Nice...and it gets better & better, every year. Are you able to have the same flexibility & freedom where you live now?

[@darkseraph84]

Why do you have to drive to socialize with other people?

[@Maxumized]

…and thats the loneliness response

[@meg659]

depends on where you live. I grew up in a small town. 4 towns went to one middle and high school which meant it could take 40 minutes to get to a friends house so you need a car.

[@thewackyrandomkid]

I guess the only type of socializing driving has- that’s the road rage part, but apart from that… there’s nothing else 😂

[@darkseraph84]

@@thewackyrandomkid 🤣🤣🤣

[@spht9ng]

nowadays kids don't even know how to use the bus or their parents forbid them from using it because of stranger danger. less and less have bikes as well. there's a growing number of teens just staying home online and never going outside. Part of that is due to gathering/socialization areas being really far away

[@sw6118]

Social media is driving loneliness, not driving itself. A group of 10-12 young people were in a restaurant at a birthday party and they were all on their phones, not talking to each other.

[@lovelight6973]

Exactly

[@kulik03]

Ab-so-lute-ly

[@neonmarblerust]

So you were watching them the whole time?

[@hookedmediacarstech1419]

You can't just generalize like that because of a few people you seen

[@ariyaa2961]

Comparing todays number to 1997 doesn’t take into account that many schools took out drivers Ed in school. My older siblings had it and all had licenses as teenagers but by the time I entered high school in 2000, they no longer had it, so I didn’t get my license until after a few years in college.

[@3DJapan]

I didn't know that. I had drivers ed in 1995 but not the driving portion because it was half a semester and I was in the half that ended in the snowy season.

[@lovelight6973]

Really. I didn't know they stopped offering it.

[@abduwalimuse7482]

as a senior in high school I didn't even know drivers Ed ever even existed in high school

[@mellowyellowmom7631]

I’ve noticed myself how uninterested Gen Z is in driving. It IS crazy on our roads! Seems like they might be smart to avoid all the expenses associated with driving. Probably better for the environment too.

[@xavierd3298]

If they move to Europe or south America not driving is possible and actually more enjoyable but in America how is that even possible. Nothing is built there to travel without a car. It would be torture not driving in America

[@johnfisher8401]

still no excuse to not get your license. Borrow a car, I did. Its excuse after excuse with this ultra-pussified generation. Just sad and pathetic at this point.

[@user-ne6gh1wh6x]

LA is a driving city and loneliness is an epidemic still when people spend their times in car bubbles

[@tw8464]

Exactly. The "news" doesn't think people are lonely in a vehicle commuting two hours a day or stick in traffic?

[@patricequinn7733]

The extensive public transit system in LA was,tragically,dismantled many decades ago.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@joyce132]

In Asia, most people don't own cars. They have a reliable, safe, clean, on-time transportation system. And here in the U.S, it's better to own a car. There's traffic, lack of parking, high insurance costs, maintenance costs. And if you don't own a garage to park your car, then good luck. One of my neighbors had all 4 of his tires stolen. They put the car on bricks.

[@seanthe100]

The fact you think countries like South Korea don't have a loneliness epidemic because they can walk is laughable

[@xavierd3298]

You can't compare Asia to America. In Asia the public transportation plus the towns are suited for people to be out and enjoying. In America not having a car is torture. American towns expect with a very few are not meant for walking

[@user-le8zj8hd5r]

@@seanthe100Exactly, it’s so amusing how these 🤡🤓 transit nerds are SO misinformed and detached from reality. Cars aren’t the reason people don’t talk to each other, cities are. I was born and raised in South Korea & I’ll take living here in the US over SK any time of day.

[@JazzyGazzy-nj8rn]

even after cars finally got cheap, now insurance is $400 a month! out in arizona it’s road rage central, i’m glad to not be a part of that

[@roxannetaitano1490]

Drivers in Arizona drive crazy, but I have come to think after COVID, many might say people are driving crazy everywhere now

[@patrickprendergast9589]

tell me more im in ft mohovie arazona

[@TonyTheTiger1000]

I hate Arizona I hate driving here there always car accident here everyday.

[@johnfisher8401]

sad excuse

[@Luke-rm1kw]

You already need a car to drive to your part-time job to save up enough money to buy a car, except that'll take years longer than it used to

[@thewewguy8t88]

You are correct like from what I understand until the early 2000s it was possible to get a part time job as a teenager to pay for a car that being said parents were probably also willing to help out thier kids with driving.

[@TheGreatWasian_]

I’m 21 and just bought a car and honestly I just wish that there was more public transit and walkability instead. Way too expensive.

[@zelloguy]

Not really man there's plenty of older used cars at $1000 or less that you can get. Got mine at an auction.

[@petemavus2948]

Good ! Maybe they'll be the ones to bring back walkable towns and cities, demand more and better forms of public transportation and help the planet all by exercising their bodies, minds and spirits with better judgement. We need them to stop the sprawl and waste that is proving unsustainable and a threat to future generations. Personally, I thank them.

[@cbpd89]

Lots of people want that from any age group, but a small (vocal and rich) group of people are more interested in selling cars and gas than having safer roads and more walkable communities.

[@roseadiaz]

We are living paycheck to paycheck and don’t want any more bills.

[@terry.1428]

Yea who can actually afford to go out and do stuff ?

[@nightress4]

Clicked on this because I was already thinking of not driving in the future

[@bicotmary7176]

Not sure if driving or lack thereof is related to loneliness. Most cars I see everyday, even 7-seater SUVs, have 1 person in it.

[@nwsportstilidie]

Maybe Gen Z wouldn't feel so lonely if cars were smaller.

[@cg6176]

America is a weird twilight zone.

[@Riplee]

Support the Strong Towns movement. There's more to life than driving to find it

[@tw8464]

Exactly

[@kamikazehound3243]

We spend more time walking and meeting up. Public transportation is way better for the environment. Phones arent the reason people arent driving. The issue with loneliness is cultural. Men and women in the US are dealing with a moral divide.

[@thewewguy8t88]

Yeah this actually is very true I mean if anything I think people driving less is a side effect of the loneliness epidemic.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@Its_like_the_T-Rex]

I can use a grocery delivery service that changes $5 for delivery. How does that compare with a $700 car payment, a $250 insurance payment, car maintenance fees, parking fees, and gas prices? I'm already spending half my paycheck on rent and another quarter on loans. If I want to save even a hundred dollars I have to be extremely frugal. BTW, I have a good job and a side hustle. There is no hope for this generation to ever escape poverty.

[@wyatttomlinson3475]

This was a great report, with well-researched, in-depth statistics. However, one piece was missing from the puzzle: car dependency. While Generation Z not driving as much means using public transportation more or staying at home, in a car-centric environment, this can lead to isolation, since not owning a car might make it more difficult to get around. But if the environment was reversed, where public transportation and walkable, mixed-use zone cities were normal, not driving would actually be a benefit to mobility. That would be the long-term solution: deincentivize driving and reorient our cities to other, more community-focused modes of transportation.

[@tw8464]

Exactly

[@tw8464]

People would actually be less lonely if not car centric infrastructure

[@seanthe100]

​@@tw8464no they wouldn't look at south Korea and Japan some great walkable infrastructure and some people refuse to leave the house ever

[@sophiallama]

@@seanthe100Japan and South Korea have insane work cultures. That’s why they’re lonely. Walkable cities would be better for Americans, probably everyone’s health, and the environment.

[@tw8464]

@seanthe100 that's a good point but it more proves the problem of the extreme and disturbing "screen economy". Actually the problem you mentioned would be 10 times worse in those places if they didn't have walkable infrastructure and trains. The people have to leave the house at some point and they're more likely to talk to another person walking or on train than alone in their car.

[@Propain4eva]

3am on the highway alone listening to eurobeat hits different

[@eclecticd9953]

Yessss!!!

[@smiley3755]

Facts 💯

[@TheWeeklyWithKiki]

What the he’ll is eurobeat

[@3DJapan]

I do food deliveries at night, until 2am sometimes, and I always have dance music on (BPM channel on Sirius XM).

[@moulaye7534]

try 6pm...

[@logixthreesome298]

Why the heck is driving a private motorised vehicle even supposed to be a part ones life?

[@drblitz3092]

if its paid off, who cares. just gas and the occasional oil change

[@logixthreesome298]

@@drblitz3092 its not just about personal finance

[@brock8281]

Because it gives you freedom. When you apply for a job they ask you if you have reliable transportation. Rideshare isn't even reliable because you can have drivers cancel on you. So if your job is a bit far, then it makes sense to have reliable transportation. Fix your thinking please, oh wait look at your pic.

[@Nik-pp3qs]

Because in the mid 20th century, Big Auto/Oil/Gas lobbied for car centric infrastructure to have streetcars removed and have cities revolve around the automobile instead and every generation since then has been brainwashed to believe you “need” a car to live rather than just modify our infrastructure which is objectively safer, healthier, and less expensive

[@gamingwitharlen2267]

@@brock8281 It is a barrier to freedom when there shouldn't be + it hurts the environment + ONLY cars are bad for cities

[@DeBron96]

loneliness is a symptom of perpetual poverty...it costs enough money to stay housed, let lone LEAVE that house

[@innocentnemesis3519]

The instant you drive a car, it depreciates. Let alone the gas, maintenance, and insurance money. We need *less* car-reliant infrastructure and more spaces which are connected by pedestrian pathways and public transportation.

[@dfjdskf9234j4fisd]

Why get a license if you don’t have a car?

[@heyitsdaniel69]

I think this only applies to people living on the east coast. Yes owning a car is expensive but it's near impossible to live without one in Southern California.

[@hikki6089]

Actually not true. This trend is also in SoCal. I have coworkers in this age group who do not own a car and have no interest in owning one.

[@SomeDudeWithAnExitSign]

People in Portland and Seattle can and have gotten away without cars

[@fortunamajor7239]

SoCal is the entire west coast now 😅

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@billdavis431]

Cars and car centric infrastructure make people more lonely.

[@emem2863]

Not if you live in a carcentric place. However, I agree that more walkable cities with more reliable public transportation include more interaction with others.

[@JaguarPriest]

As a car/bike guy. Youre hilarious, I met all my friends through cars and bikes 🤡

[@danielmartin7838]

You don’t drive, do you?

[@junicohen7918]

Not for decades and decades .oh wait democrats weren't collapsing society then

[@darealdeal8185]

​@JaguarPriest imagine needing a car/bike to get validation from people 😂

[@ethansprague2005]

Kids and teens needing an expensive vehicle to go anywhere without risking death is why they're lonely. If they don't drive they need a ride, that's just depressing. We use the worst form of transportation and have lost our right to WALK anywhere. Tell me how that makes any sense

[@katieadams5860]

I'm surprised considering how expensive lyft is. My commute is only 4.6 miles and its $15 just 1 way not including tip one way. Doordash is also insanely expensive, its usually double what it costs to go inside the restaurant not including tip.

[@Evilskyworshippers]

In CONservative areas, cars are infinitely more expensive. There's NO accident depreciation compensation (except in areas where liberals had long periods of power), so if u don't total ur car Cons made it LEGAL for insurers to steal that $1-1000000 in accident depreciation. In Canada auto insurance for a 10 yr old economy car can be $5500 CDN a year or more first time drivers in Con area, and around $600 in liberal areas.

[@brock8281]

The bad think is lyft only gives the driver 50% and pockets the rest, while overcharging customer. You can thank your higher ups.

[@FlixCreEightR]

Why would u tip a Lyft or Uber driver ?!

[@xjarheadjohnson]

At age 51, I still bicycle commute approx 13-miles to work, one way. (~25miles a day) I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. 5-miles is so easy, a child can do it. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@T-Mr.Unknown93]

​​@@FlixCreEightR Because, you tip them for they service. Also, that's money for personal reasons like, gas, food, bills, etc, etc.

[@bigmo10]

Good. I don't want them to drive because they stay glued to their phones.

[@OnionsUnderSonyasEyes]

So weird. New Yorkers have been without licenses since motor vehicles existed. They never had an issue?

[@3DJapan]

Because they live in New York.

[@doctordl7757]

Because the news will create a problem just to report on a "problem". They're more worried about profits than our well being...

[@hiker0100]

Because NYC is one of the few cities in the US where going car-free actually makes sense due to having efficient, reliable public transport.

[@johnfisher8401]

are you really this dumb?😂

[@tw8464]

This is a convoluted story. Why does it seem like the "news" stories so often appear to be about something like "loneliness" but under the surface it's actually some kind of corporation propaganda like from the underwater "office" / commercial real estate lobby or vehicle manufacturers lobby or physical store retail or restaurant lobby, etc.? Not necessarily "against" those things but against any self-serving lobby orchestrating a particular narrative at any cost, that isn't necessarily true. Basically behind these convoluted "stories," is always special interest business interests. While this piece does point out some legit issues like too much screen time, etc., in reality there's not always necessarily a direct connection or "cause and effect" regarding car ownership and loneliness. Let's remember, most Americans actually didn't own a vehicle or drive prior to the end of WWII. Most took public transport, biked, walked. Trains were big. Towns and cities were highly walkable. People walked frequently in the town to different shops. My point is car ownership and loneliness are clearly NOT "cause and effect" as this piece seems to imply.

[@CTHR333]

Yep. Although I have a car myself, I wish this whole “gen z is like the older generations” commentary would stop. Of course we’re different, our world is vastly different compared to when even millennials were kids. These kind of media pieces just aren’t happy people my age aren’t conforming to their standard of living. Idc to be what they want me to be.

[@tw8464]

@@CTHR333 you're absolutely right

[@karenmassey8354]

It’s fake news

[@RecklessInspirer]

Exactly! I agree! It’s very convoluted. Driving a car has no relation to “loneliness.” It’s almost like a shaming tactic to pressure Gen Z into buying cars. It’s like Because your feel like A. you must cure it with B.

[@tw8464]

@@RecklessInspirer exactly well said

[@albedougnut]

Alternatively, we could invest in walkable cities and better public transportation.

[@stevezelaznik5872]

It’s heartening to see the comment section place the blame where it belongs: our car-dependent society.

[@fernthaisetthawatkul5569]

& sad to see how the ones controlling the narrative don't understand, but randos in the comments do. or maybe they just don't care!

[@cole12052]

For alot of people it could be cost also. Owning/leasing a vehicle has a lot of added expenses, especially for those who are struggling financially providing housing and necessities. Which frankly speaking, is all of us as a whole. The same gen z can’t afford rent & food. Adding a vehicle would only exacerbate things. More than likely even loneliness due to depression 😂😂

[@FlixCreEightR]

As a 87 baby. I live in the city. So no need for a car. And I do a lot.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@e5b7-wr811ouhih]

Stopping driving is the best thing I’ve done in my life. Maybe once EV are the norm I’ll change my mind..

[@rouowward6917]

Im 43. Didn't get my driver's license until i was 27. Owned my first car at 29/30. Chicago's public transportation system is the best. I waited so long to get the car that Im never stressed on the road as my pier group. I would encourage learning to drive it's def a game changer but delaying the purchase of a vehicle is a smart move. Saved a lot of stress and money all expenses.

[@stevezelaznik5872]

Just moved to Chicago, and yes, I’ve been impressed how good the busses and trains are here.

[@user-or2vq1vq9w]

Really driving and owning a car can make people lonely? People in Amsterdam are pretty sociable and they ride bikes not cars

[@DLCoates1]

It wouldn’t matter if they got their licenses because cars are too expensive on todays income!

[@historyofapple]

I dragged my feet on getting my drivers license as I was old enough during the pandemic, and my thought was okay, what am I supposed to do with it when everything is still closed? I didn’t end up getting mine till the end of my junior year of high school

[@InfiniteTony]

As a 24 yr old that still does not drive. My main reason was that 'I'm poor so I don't have the luxury to afford a car and afford the maintenance too. I don't have family that can buy me a car or even family that are willing to teach me too..' ..now because of that reason I've been able to save *A LOT* of money from age 17 to age 24 and would also say that I have far more money in the bank than the average 24 yr old :). Now can I buy a used car *NOW?* Of course I can, but am I gonna? *NO.* Why? Because why buy a car now when I can continue saving up more and more $$$, especially when I can just call a cab to go to work and take the bus back home like I currently do. You have to outweigh the pros and cons for each individual. In my case right now, getting a car would severely put a dent in my finances. Once I acquire a higher paying job, then I'll finally consider learning how to drive. :)

[@christins.1481]

I wish we had a transit system here. Live out in a rural area. Our insurance went up $70 because the MIL wrecked our vehicle and she can't pay us back, regular vehicle maintenance, oil change is a lot for me as I drive 400 miles every week for work, two weeks I spent over $200 on new tires cause of work trucks losing crap in the road and one of my tires got impaled with a frigging rod. I have to drive below the speed limit to save up on gas so I'm not paying $60 a week, instead I pay $30 a week, but it takes me forever to get home and have to wake earlier just to get to work. I'm currently paying on two car notes right now because both are vehicles konked back-to-back, fixing both would cost more than the vehicles were worth. So, I got nothing against folks with your mindset.

[@InfiniteTony]

@@christins.1481 That's exactly what I fear, damaging my car and just keeping up with maintenance. Eventually I'll have to experience that but for now I'll stick with this. I hope everything works out with your situation though, your MIL should never drive again imo, especially if she can't afford to repair the car.

[@christins.1481]

@@InfiniteTony She doesn't drive. After wrecking our car she had the nerve to ask for another. My husband laughed. My problem is, I like my job. It's great. I get TONS of benefits, been getting raises the past 3 years since we got our new boss. Me and my new boss are a well-oiled machine working together. Got new management in corporate and so they bend over to make us happy. I'll show up to work with a migraine and work pleads with me to go home. The drive is what kills me. I work there because it was where I was transferred.

[@christins.1481]

@@InfiniteTony Oh, I make my own hours too. I work five days a week and get two days off in a row. I get all requested time off as well. Corporate gave me another raise and I flat-out told them they're making it hard for me to leave.

[@InfiniteTony]

@@christins.1481 Sounds like you got it good at work, I hope to have a job that has meaning someday lol I just take it one day at a time.

[@JohnSmith-qe6fb]

Cost of a vehicle purchase, fuel, repairs, and rising insurance is a massive factor. Imagine almost 1k a month to afford an inexpensive car! In the early 2000's I struggled to have a vehicle, can't imagine young adults now!

[@Luna_Le_Fey]

Except that a 20-minute ride from Lyft and Uber at certain times of day are 30-50$ a ride and this generation thinks that that is cheap. And Uber Eats, Door Dash, Instacart, etc not only overprice the food or items that are being picked up- but then charge a "delivery fee" and then make you add a tip on top of it because they don't properly pay their freelance drivers. Which, is also frustrating because the last time that we used Instacart it was because our car was broken down and the driver hadn't included several items even though we got charged for it- let our ice cream melt while they picked up two other orders that she threw all in her backseat together- and also replaced certain items in our order that were out of stock even though my order said just don't replace it if it wasn't there. Those items ended up costing us more and weren't what we wanted. She also crushed our bread and was almost an hour late while we were charged an extra 10$ on top of delivery as it was for being "rural". (Living 30 minutes from that grocery store.) I made a complaint and Instacart gave us a credit or whatnot for a future order... but we'd have to spend a certain amount of money to even use that credit. We had also given her a 15$ tip before the order had even started because we were required to by the app and then had issues changing it because she rushed to end the order right after leaving. Gen Z (those that I have talked to) think that things like this are normal and don't think they are getting overcharged for things. It's kind of surreal.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Nobody in the US has to have a $1000 a month car and insurance payment🤡

[@tw8464]

Exactly

[@eighdreighanne]

Very cheap to run my 2000 Toyota Camry.. bought it for $500 CAD. New water pump and head gasket, did the breaks myself and all in I think I'm about $1500 in on the car.. I've been driving it for 3 years now.. it's not a luxury to own and operate a car people are just stupid and choose to get into massive debt to do it

[@pauldannelachica2388]

Even going to the shopping mall is boring when you have online shopping

[@Slips85]

What mall they are all closing down

[@3DJapan]

On the other hand a store lets you have that thing right now instead of waiting for shipping.

[@thewewguy8t88]

​@@3DJapanplus stores can be cheaper lol with shipping and handling I have seen things cost almost double the amount compared to at a store lol.

[@colin985]

Too real I went with a friend to a store and im a boring person so I was so bored. Also I don’t drink or smoke either and went to a bar to eat so was bored as well

[@gorillabang79]

Gen Z minding their own business is now a problem. For goodness sake, just let them be. Thwy are not bothering anyone. Stay strong Gen Z and don't let these old folks harsh your mellow.

[@lancelotkhan4460]

What kind of bs is this? We have better online access, improved public transportation and now we have a problem with less drivers? Look around you, traffic still sucks and no we do not need more drivers. We need even better public transportation!

[@residentevil4life]

I live in an urban area where finding parking is hard enough and I take public transport to work and school. I don't want to take on the burden of buying and maintaining a car and tbh I am also very nervous driver who am terrified of getting into a serious accident or hurting someone. Only massive downside is that I can't freely go on a road trip and I can't easily visit relatives nearby who live in secluded areas away from public transportation.

[@Slips85]

I have an e-bike and get to work faster than coworkers with cars since they have to park far away and catch a shuttle. I get to work and lock up my bike in a secure location at the front doors.

[@3DJapan]

That fine in an urban area.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@choosehope8729]

Car ownership and maintenance is a luxury these days. Until wages catch up with the cost of living, this isn’t surprising

[@marcconnell9643]

Car industry propaganda. Car dependence causes loneliness. Build better public transit and things will improve

[@brewsandbass5572]

When covid hit a teacher moved out of NYC and got his driver's license at 50. Never needed one.

[@jessica3218]

Makes me feel better that I don’t have one at 23

[@Carlossoto-rg5hh]

They will be the generation that saves us.

[@janiekcarney5482]

I can’t imagine not driving unless I lived in New York.

[@napperforlife2020]

I live in New York and I drive.

[@kristalraya730]

I have a car in NYC the Bronx actually the subway is too unsafe. My family has always had cars in the Bronx. I am 45 years old. Many people drive here it's a myth they don't.

[@EzraSacks]

Go.. literally anywhere else in the world. People do it every day.

[@MultiEnoch123]

New York is not what it seems on TV. There’s way more to NY than people think and the people that move here learns that the hard way 😂

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade, at 39years old. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023 I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found people just don't know what exists.

[@bascal133]

Lack of driving isn't the issue in Europe where there are communal spaces and the outside isn't designed for cars instead of people, people get a chance to go outside and socialize a lot more. Cars and car centric areas make people LESS likely to go outside, there's no sidewalk sometimes even what about that would make you want to leave your home physically?

[@redstickham6394]

I grew up in NOLA and what she says about drivers there is pretty accurate. I've been in Baton Rouge for the last 28 years and the drivers here and the traffic aren't much better.

[@user-us6pj2jw1h]

Don’t know how to drive at 27 Thanks to nyc. No need to even though I’m happily lonely

[@FlansyLinny]

My dad is a boomer and hates driving, he wants to get rid of his car and just do ride share to get essentials like groceries.

[@MintyMoni]

You know why? WE WANT WALKABLE CITIES AND FOCUS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE!!!

[@ValFolarin]

the old folks just dont realize how big loneliness is affecting our generation. especially. especially as a man.

[@jessihawkins9116]

stop whining 😒

[@user-nc2qj2jc5q]

Must be a MAGA macho man 🤔🤔

[@karenmassey8354]

Have young men tried not being degenerate and not going around terrorizing other people? That may help other people actually want to interact with them.

[@abduwalimuse7482]

making friends isnt even that hard (if you don't have an extreme case of social anxiety)

[@karenmassey8354]

Have men tried not being insufferable? That may help.

[@HungerSTR1KE]

I think loneliness is another symptom of/form of poverty. We're so busy working and earning a buck we can't spare any leisure time. We don't have time to be together in a meaningful way. So many interactions nowadays are transactional. It's a symptom of our broken work culture and lack of wages. The average US worker hasn't had an increase in real wages since 1970.

[@barryrobbins7694]

Driving less has NOTHING to do with being lonely. If someone can’t visit their friends regularly, it is because there is inadequate public transit infrastructure.

[@jtbaying2312]

We had a class in H.S to get your license. Mine car license expired in 94 but my motorcycle license is good till 2030.

[@CTHR333]

Blame the generations before us for making everything expensive in the first place.

[@SirusStarTV]

Father insists for me to drive his old junk car that needs repairs all the time, i feel safer driving bicycle tbh.

[@humanecities]

Maybe we could build cities that are walkable so EVERYONE has access to their friends and family… not just people who can afford a car…?

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10k/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@FantasticLife2013]

Didn't get my license till I was 23, so I can believe this study.

[@kozad86]

I’ve always maintained a driver’s license, even when I lived in major urban areas and didn’t own a car because public transit was usually sufficient. It’s a handy tool to have, particularly when applying for jobs since so many places require it.

[@nuclearcatapult]

Cars are unnecessarily necessary in American cities.

[@MoshMob]

It costs waaaay too much to own a car, drive that car and worry about paying tickets after inevitabley being pulled over and ticketed by police...

[@frappes_]

here's a better headline: how fewer drivers on the road is good climate policy

[@renosance8941]

Gas and cars and high inflation are the actual problems here. 😅

[@tworains2]

They want you to have $800 car note with a $500 car insurance payment, noticed how thy're raising insurance prices drastically plus new cars costing 60k. Its on purpose, blow me.

[@lilachearthaven]

1. its difficult to learn and I am lazy 2. social anxiety and shy to go to a driving instructor 3. no where to go anyways 4. gas prices 5. car insurance costs 6. car prices 7. scared of driving 8. parents still drive me around anyways I do want to learn, but it's just been hard. I will try though. I do want to be able to drive.

[@Whooshta]

This is a great shift for more public transit. Also, the fear of failure and loneliness is not good. We need to try and pull people in to the 3rd place again to connect.

[@Lexster918]

The internet had far more to do with loneliness than driving car ever did. Doesn’t matter how you get there and I never met a new friend walking down the street. 🤦‍♀️

[@seanthe100]

Right, like we're just gonna be besties cause we walk on the street😂😂😂😂 the Internet has made these kids spend so much time away from other kids to where now social interaction is a foreign language.

[@zelloguy]

Over here you're most likely to get mugged walking down the street.

[@abduwalimuse7482]

@@seanthe100 "social interaction is a foreign language" this is a ridiculous statement as most kids get plenty of socialization at school (like I do every day of my life) I have plenty of friends that I hang out with. We hang out all the time outside of school too. Also a lot of kids do sports and join clubs and socialize there. It seems to me that all you get your info from is the internet which give you a very false perception of reality.

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade, at 39years old. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate.

[@patrickprendergast9589]

when its 0 u ride your bike awsome

[@westsidewarrior7285]

My daughter is Gen Z ( born 07') and she couldn't wait to turn 16 to be able to get her driver's license and to have more independence. It does cost a lot to have a teen driver, but I was happy she wanted to learn to drive, and she worked very hard,taking all the numerous steps to make that happen. I guess she is an exception to the Gen Z trend.

[@Nik-pp3qs]

You’re almost there, NBC. Maybe the issue is that you “have” to drive to not be lonely. Don’t you think that’s more of an issue with our built environment than it is with Gen Z? The era of car dominance is coming to an end. And Gen Z is the first generation that’s driving (no pun intended) that decline.

[@jbela]

Gen x here, so I have never driven a car. Never needed to. I live in the city where pubic transit is easily accessible (4min) . My coworkers sigh when I tell them how much I save money. And they tell me their horror stories on expenses on car repairs. I'm able to pay rent,bills, food and enjoyment,no surprises on car repairs

[@xjarheadjohnson]

Me too. I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10k/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@teehasheestower]

You ever notice that driving is very unsafe?

[@Fuzzmom903]

It’s especially unsafe when you’ve never had experience behind the wheel sufficient to make you an experienced driver.

[@teehasheestower]

@@Fuzzmom903 I think driving has a lot of drawbacks, the high skill demand is one of them.

[@abduwalimuse7482]

yea, as a high school senior I already know of 1 friend's car flipped over and 2 friends got a concussion while driving.

[@teehasheestower]

@@abduwalimuse7482 I wrecked my first car and lost my second and third to a tbone.

[@abduwalimuse7482]

@@teehasheestower It's terrifying to me how risky driving is. There's so many car accidents every since day. I see them almost constantly. Some end with irreversible bodily injuries. I've been afraid of learning to drive for years because it just seems like a huge responsibility and so many risks. There's so many crazy drivers on the road too. But there's so much pressure for me to drive I'll probably soon have to succumb to it. :/

[@johnwaltergill.3]

Add my 10 hours drives when I was in college. Now let's see how it stacks up.

[@mellow-jello]

Sponsored by the automotive industry. Loneliness is a cultural phenomenon that was started since Gen Z, where a large children population were exploited for mass consumption, and the vast capitalistic gains too lucrative to abandon in middle-aged.

[@SerPounceToebeans]

I'm 33 years old and I have zero interest in learning how to drive. I'm happy with my electric bike and using public transit.😅

[@xjarheadjohnson]

I live in Minneapolis, MN & went 100% CAR-FREE for over a decade. I bicycled & took public transit everywhere. It was wonderful! I still bicycle\pblc-trans commute most of the year. Not only did I make a lot of new friends & was in great shape, I estimate I saved about $10K/year. My savings reflect that estimate. I would encourage you to research the bicycle infrastructure in your town or city. I have found, in many cases, people just don't know what exists. *Minneapolis ranked the No. 1 most bikeable large city in US* _"Minneapolis is the most bikeable large city in the United States, according to a new ranking by PeopleForBikes."_ SOURCE: Bring me the News, TOMMY WIITAJUL 10, 2023

[@NPC_YouTube]

no, being stuck in traffic is pretty bad

[@focusprx]

How would driving fix the loneliness problem? Your in a car by yourself and I don’t think anyone has ever sparked up a conversation while sitting at a red light with the car next to them lol

[@stevenv8251]

I blamed 9 to 5 jobs and social media