text: In the United States recent studies suggest that americans are buying fewer cars, driving less and getting fewer licenses as each year goes by. This has left researchers pondering a fundamental question: has america passed peak driving? When adjusted for population growth, the number of miles driven in the united states peaked in 2005 and dropped steadily thereafter, according to an analysis by Dough Short of advisor perspectives, an investment company. A sociology professor at Drexel University and director of its mobilities research and policy center, MiMi Sheller said that "different things are converging which suggests that we are witnessing a long term cultural shift". She says it allows people to feel more connected without driving to meet people. Demographic shifts in the driving population suggest that the trend may accelerate. Mr. Sivak's research has found that there has been a large drop in the percentage of 16 to 39-year-olds getting a license, while older people are likely to retain their licenses as they age. A study found that driving by a young age decreased 23 percent between 2001 and 2009.