According to the Federal Highway Administration per capita vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. dropped by 0.4 percent last year to 9,363 miles — the eighth straight year that has seen a reduction in driving. Per capita VMT peaked in 2004 and has declined every year since for a total decline of 7.5 percent. A variety of factors are cited, including the fact that Baby Boomers are retiring and Millennials are less interested in cars, and that more people are living in compact, mixed-use development that makes it easier not to drive. The story, on the State Smart Transportation Initiative blog, says fuel prices don't seem to be a factor, since the reduction in driving has continued in boom times and in hard times.
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