Teenagers and driving
It is well known that adolescence is a time of risk taking. It is also well recognised that young people are very susceptible to ‘peer pressure’ — the need to be liked and respected by others in their age group. ‘Showing off’ in front of friends is one way some young people respond to these pressures.
Results of recent road accident study
The occasionally tragic consequences of these normal aspects of growing up have been graphically demonstrated by research into road accidents carried out in the US.
The study showed that when 17-year-olds are driving, their chance of having a crash in which someone is killed increases by 50 per cent if they have a passenger in the car. When there are 2 passengers, the risk of a fatal crash increases by 160 per cent and with 3 passengers the chances are 200 per cent greater.
Other factors leading to fatal teenage-driver accidents
Some other factors making fatal teenage-driver accidents more likely are when:
- passengers are male;
- alcohol has been consumed; and
- driving takes place at night after 10pm.
In the light of these findings authorities in many parts of the world are suggesting that young drivers should be barred from carrying passengers.
Although such laws are unlikely in the near future, parents of young drivers would be wise to remember that their son or daughter won't be as tempted to ‘show off’ if there is no one in the car with them.
Last Reviewed: 31 May 2001
