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Should teens ride with teens?


There appears to be a method to reduce teenage traffic collisions that is going unused. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of Americans support laws limiting the number of teenage passengers who may ride with inexperienced teen drivers, according to a nationwide poll released today by AAA Washington/Inland, yet just half of the states have these lifesaving laws. Crash data show that passenger-restriction laws, an important component of Intermediate Driver Licensing systems, are the most effective way to reduce teen crashes, deaths, and injuries. Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15 to 20 years of age.

If a restriction on teen passengers is an effective tool in limiting teenage crashes, why isn't it being instituted in more states? That's a fair question, and misunderstanding seems to be the key reason.

"There is a current misconception that parents will find the teen passenger restriction law burdensome because parents typically designate the teen as the chauffer to younger siblings," said Janet Ray, AAA Washington/Inland's managing director of corporate communications. "The reality is that most parents are willing to wait a few months longer to ensure the teenager will have the best opportunity to drive safely."

The survey found that most adults (73 percent) think that public officials should do more to improve the safety of drivers ages 15 to 19. Currently 48 states and the District of Columbia have some form of an Intermediate Driver License law. These laws help novice drivers learn to drive by controlling their progression towards full unrestricted driving. However, half the states still do not have the most effective component of an IDL--passenger restrictions. And there are still states that need to add or improve their nighttime driving restrictions and behind the wheel training.

In California, where the first significant teen passenger restrictions took effect in 1999, teen passenger deaths and injuries have dropped by 23 percent. One study showed that inexperienced teens driving with one teen passenger nearly doubled their fatal crash risk; having two or more passengers increased their crash risk five-fold compared with driving alone.

Opinion Research Corporation conducted the national telephone poll December 4 - 7, 2003 for AAA. The survey sampled the opinions of 1,005 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.

© Studio One NetworksEnd of Article

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Comments

Alexandra, on Monday, 16. November 2009 at 08:31 PM

My sister has her permit. She's 15 but will not be driving driving until 17 or 18 probly. She is the most responsible 15 year older I've ever known. Im sure you guys think I'm byest but not all teens are bad. They should only be allowed to drive at age 18 though. We graduate, vote, and move out of the house at 18, why not drive at age 18???
think about that rowery!!!!

Walter, on Monday, 16. November 2009 at 03:03 PM

To Sierra, I would agree if there was some kind of assurance that there would be two responsible teens in the car.

Unfortunately, graduated licensing tars every teen with the same brush. Just because some teens behave irresponsibly all have to pay.

Any one got ideas for a solution?

Sierra, on Monday, 16. November 2009 at 02:18 PM

I think that teens should be allowed to drive other teens, because what if a teenager had an afterschool activity, and had no way to get home, but one of his/her friends was a teen, and could drive. It would be the only way he/she could get home.

jack nerod a (idiot), on Friday, 23. October 2009 at 02:49 PM

im ned again your stupid my teen is a great driver

Ned, on Friday, 23. October 2009 at 02:46 PM

My teen should drive. it should be about responsibility and behavior not age

ann, on Tuesday, 18. August 2009 at 12:26 PM

all you people who have teenagers and cant wait for them to drive dont have a clue about how dangerous it is. I lost my son because of a teenage driver. if you knew this pain you would enjoy being the their taxi.

Nick J., on Tuesday, 03. February 2009 at 09:24 PM

i think that rather than blaming all teens for some teens mistakes people should determine weather or not their kids are responsible enough to drive or not regardless of who's in the car.

Yadira Gutierrez, on Sunday, 25. January 2009 at 10:33 PM

allowing teenagers to drive with other teens decreases the chance of more teenagers driving independently causing more accidents on the road.Most teens are responsible.There are some adults that commit the same mistakes or worse.

Sheri, on Tuesday, 25. November 2008 at 09:17 AM

I really think this new law stinks. I have 2 teenage daughters. What happens when they go to a party and have a designated driver. There are going to be more people drinking and driving as you can't put 5 people in a car with one sober driver any more. I couldn't wait til they got their licence. i didn't have to drive them around any more or their friends pick them up. now that won't be happening. Adults have just as many accidents

Lily, on Monday, 27. October 2008 at 10:24 PM

AMEN SARAH! (:

jas, on Monday, 06. October 2008 at 12:14 PM

no cause teens love to drinkin and drivin and they just kill the person that they are drivin with

Kierah, on Monday, 22. September 2008 at 09:53 PM

It is a different meaning when you see your friends doing wrong while driving with them. If you feel something in your body that feels wrong then you should get out. it will help save yourself and your friends if you do not want an adult. i'm calling it how i see it you can either deal with the truth because my friend died because she wanted to go out and party on night think about it!!!!!!!!

Sarah, on Wednesday, 06. August 2008 at 04:36 PM

I THINK TEENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO RIDE WITH TEENS BECAUSE YES THERE IS A GREATER RISK OF CRASHES BUT ADULTS COULD BE JUST AS ENXPERICED AT DRIVING AND COULD BE JUST AS LIKELY TO WRECK ...THERE SHOULD BE MORE FAITH IN TEENS THAT WE WONT GO OUT AND KILL OURSELFS JUST BC ONE TEEN GOT KILLED IN A WRECK DOSENT MEAN EVERYOHTER ONE WILL...

austin, on Thursday, 29. May 2008 at 02:59 PM

i think teens should ride with teens

rowery, on Friday, 22. February 2008 at 11:01 AM

i think teens should not be able to drive until atleast 21.
teens are ruining america.
and the world.

god be with us.

cjmollylooly, on Tuesday, 22. January 2008 at 12:03 AM

other teens should not drive with irresponsible teens

yamaha887, on Tuesday, 30. October 2007 at 02:46 PM

Teens SHOULD NOT ride with other teens as soon as they get their license. Probation periods are needed because the teen death rate will decrease by 20% according to AAA, in the 16-17 year olds

chao565, on Wednesday, 03. October 2007 at 08:30 PM

well what if they had an adult then it would be ok

cassidy, on Tuesday, 24. April 2007 at 10:06 AM

no teens should not ride with other teens

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