Kennedy Stephens
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) – For decades, getting a driver’s license was a young person’s rite of passage, but recently research shows that members of Gen Z are less likely to get behind the wheel.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of 16-year-olds with a license went down by 27% from 2000 to 2022.

This societal change is also seen on the Winthrop University university campus, where many students choose not to drive.

Daniel Cocklin, a junior said not having a license or a car makes it difficult for him to go to off campus events.

“There’s a couple of events that happen off campus that I can’t really go to, because I can’t drive,” Cocklin said.

He said driving anxiety is one reason why he decided not to get a license. “I’m scared to go above 20 miles per hour,” Cocklin said.

However, other students who don’t drive say that support from family and friends is all they need to get around.

“Most of my friends all have cars, so if we got to go somewhere that is who I just ask,” said Madyson Brown, a senior. “I don’t use any ridesharing apps.”

Officials say that acclimating students to traditional transportation methods, such as bus service, can be challenging.

“Gen Z is very used to Uber and Lyft and calling for rides,” said Katie Quinn, the communications and marketing manager for Rock Hill. “The notion of a fixed route and having a set schedule is a concept that we’ve been trying to help educate people about since 2019.”

With routes along Cherry Road and Saluda and Heckle Boulevard, My Ride Rock Hill is serving students and others in need of transportation.

The bus routes from Winthrop has also changed from four routes to two.

* Editor’s note: Madyson Brown is a former Palmetto Report contributor.