For young people, a driver’s license has meant a time of freedom - the right to the car key and radio, a symbol of adulthood, a way to celebrate on Saturday evening.
But the coveted card is no longer considered necessary, given that the connection via mobile phones and computers adolescent replace cars.
Since 2000, the share of Ohio 16, driving licence rose from 54 percent to 47 percent, according to the state Division of Public Safety statistics and US Census estimates. Nationally, the proportion rose from 41% in 1996 to 29.8 percent in the year 2006, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
A multitude of reasons that contribute to the development, say experts, the designation by the escalation of gas and insurance costs, overscheduled extracurriculars, diploma licenses, and more cordial relations between parents and children. But still, without limitation in the landscape of cyberspace asset charm of the road.
And the first order for a certificate disappears.
“They are used to space, where children free,” said Montana Miller, a professor of popular culture at Bowling Green State University. “You can go wherever they want to study, away from the supervision of parents, that will result. The car was the center. Now they have MySpace. It serves the needs of all the same - and it is free.”
Not quite free. Mom and Dad probably pay for computers and the Internet, the telephone and perhaps also. But it is cheaper than filling the tank every week.
So young, as Ashley Guy, 17, Cleveland Heights, do not see a licensed Big Deal.
Although she received her temporary authorization of the status of the minimum age of 15, Ashley was too busy to play Lacrosse and spending a semester in Costa Rica, for drivers of training. When they return to their permits had expired. And in addition, she said, their timing was in charge of hockey and working and living conditions of Aboriginal people.
“I have really no time for him,” she said.
Ashley looks at 18 in May. Then, under the law, they did not, for drivers of training.
Today, she has friends on texts of their cells and send messages via Facebook. When it disappears, his friends bring.
“I have almost the same freedoms on the other my friends,” she says. “I do not think it is totally dependent on the license.”