AAA recently presented a study showing fatal crashes increased when teen passengers were with a teen driver. The research shows risky behavior increases for 16- and 17-year-old drivers as the number of teen passengers grows. Among this age group involved in fatal crashes:
- Speeding increased from 30 percent with no passengers, to 44 percent and 48 percent with two and three passengers, respectively.
- Late night driving (11pm to 5am) increased from 17 percent with no passengers, to 22 percents and 28 percent with two and three passengers, respectively.
- Alcohol use increased from 13 percent with no passengers, to 17 percent and 18 percent with two and three passengers, respectively.
This study builds on previous research showing how the risk of death for 16- and 17-year-olds increases by 44 percent when carrying just one passenger under the age of 21, and doubles with two and quadruples with three or more young passengers, compared with driving alone.
The study recommends stronger graduated driver licensing laws, which has been shown to reduce injuries and deaths.
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