@article{ref1,
title="Passenger presence and the relative risk of teen driver death",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2022",
author="Villavicencio, Leon and Svancara, Austin M. and Kelley-Baker, Tara and Tefft, Brian Christopher",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.038",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.038"
}