mOTORING FEaTURE

Youth feel independent in their wheels and it’s part of their lifestyle

Young people say their wheels are more than just a way of getting around. Their cars make them feel independent and represent a living space that is uniquely theirs. But with the Easter holidays now behind us, many parents across the country are breathing a sigh of relief that their novice drivers are safely home. And sadly, others are left grieving.

As part of Goodyear’s commitment to understanding and addressing road safety, the company recently investigated the behaviour and driving habits of 6 400 drivers under the age of 25.

The survey, conducted in 16 countries, was specifically designed to obtain detailed information regarding young drivers’ level of training and preparation, their habits behind the wheel, their most common worries and mistakes on the road, as well as their views on cars and driving in general.

“Young people today have a very particular relationship with their cars,” said Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Brand Communications Manager. According to the survey, 73% of respondents said having a car is a way of gaining independence; 61% said their cars reflect their personalities, 67% said their cars were a place where they could escape day-to-day stress and responsibilities, and 52% said it’s where they could escape from their parents.

South African men are more likely than women to see their cars as a form of independence, while German, Swedish and Austrian young drivers are the most pragmatic and see their cars as just a means of transport.

As many as 18% say their cars are the place where they have sex with their partners, though South Africans are not as fancy free as most, with just 14% admitting to doing it. Unsurprisingly, more men (24%) than women (13%) admitted to having sex in their cars. And 33% of South African youth say they likely kiss their partners while driving.

Almost half of all newly qualified drivers enjoy cruising for pleasure without any particular destination in mind while 22% confess to feeling a real adrenalin rush when behind the wheel.

Probing deeper, however, Goodyear’s survey also showed that today’s youngsters are in some ways slower to gain independence than previous generations and retain a strong attachment to their parents – particularly when it comes to sorting out car trouble. When asked how they would respond if they had a flat tyre, respondents revealed that they were not as independent as they would like to believe. Overall, only 44% said they would change it by themselves while 23% would call their parents and 12% would call their boyfriends or girlfriends. Also, given that changing a tyre requires a fair degree of strength, it was perhaps not surprising that women were far less likely than men to change a tyre on their own.

South Africans were the most comfortable driving on their own after completing their driving training and they are also the most likely to check their tyre pressure regularly for safety. However most were not trained to do so and even fewer were taught how to change a flat tyre.

“With so many young drivers lacking the confidence even to change a flat tyre, there is certainly a need for more training.

“With safety at the core of our tradition, Goodyear works with the European Driving Schools Association, the Volkswagen Driving Academy and the Goodyear 4x4 Academy to provide young people with more training on driving safely and responsibly, as well as ensuring optimal knowledge and maintenance of their cars and tyres,” said Hayward.