Millennials say they are driving less

The survey of 1,025 adults age 18 and older -- of which 966 were licensed drivers -- conducted Oct. 7-11 by KRC Research indicates almost half of all 18- to 34-year-old drivers are consciously driving less, and nearly two-thirds would drive less if alternative transportation was available.

The survey, commissioned by Zipcar Inc., a car-sharing service, says the main reason given for reduced driving was the high cost of owning a car -- 80 percent of Millennials say car ownership is difficult because of the high cost of car payments, gas, parking and maintenance.

Social media is also a factor in young adults driving less often. Fifty-four percent of Millennials say they choose to spend time online in social networks with friends rather than visit them, compared with 46 percent for those ages 35-44, 34 percent for those ages 45-55 and 18 percent for those ages 55 and older.

Millennials were the most likely to limit driving to protect the environment, with 45 percent saying they drive less to protect the environment, while 39 percent of those ages 35-44 say they drive less to protect the environment, 37 percent of those ages 45-54 and 42 percent of those ages 55 and older.

No margin of error was provided.

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