People who learn to drive later in life are less dependent on cars

In Co Cork, people living in areas considered to have a low level of public transport service, such as Castletownshend, Rosscarbery, and Bantry, are more likely to learn to drive earlier than those in Douglas, Mallow, and Cork city centre. File picture

People who learn to drive later in life are less likely to rely on cars and more likely to avoid using them on any given day, according to new research.

Research from ESRI found people who grow up in areas with poor public transport access are more likely to learn to drive at an earlier age than those living in areas with good services.