Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the relative risk of death among crash-involved teenage drivers
in relation to the number and ages of passengers present.
Methods
We performed cross-sectional analysis of police-reported crashes in the United States
in years 2016–2019 to estimate rate ratios for death among drivers aged 16–17 years
by passenger composition (no passengers, one teen, ≥two teens, teens and adults aged
20–34 years, adults aged 20–34 years only, ≥one adult aged 35–64 years). Models were
adjusted for confounding and effect modification related to driver, crash, and environmental
factors.
Results
Crash-involved teen drivers carrying ≥2 teen passengers were twice as likely to die
as teens driving alone. The driver was seven times as likely to die when carrying
a mix of teen and young adult passengers compared with teens driving alone. Teen drivers'
risk of death was lowest in the presence of an adult passenger aged 35–64 years. Carrying
one teen passenger presents greater risk of death than driving alone for male teen
drivers but not for females.
Discussion
When teen drivers crash, they are more likely to die if they are carrying teen and/or
young adult passengers than if they are driving alone or with a mature adult. The
results support the current graduated licensing policies restricting young novice
drivers from carrying teenage passengers. Results also help to clarify why previous
studies have found that young passengers are associated with increased risk of fatal
crashes, but not nonfatal crashes: it appears that passengers may have an effect on
crash severity.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 04, 2022
Accepted:
October 28,
2021
Received:
January 27,
2021
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
