March 21, 2000

Researchers have long suspected it - now a study backs up the theory. More passengers in a car dramatically increases the risk a teenage driver will have a fatal accident. News Specialist Ed Yeates reports.

The study offers some dramatic numbers showing the difference between a teenage driver who gets in a car alone, and one who takes along passengers.

The study suggests when a 16-year-old driver has teenage passengers in the car he or she is more likely to become distracted, even compelled to "show off" in front of friends.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that when compared with a lone driver, - the risk of a fatal accident per 10-million trips was 39 percent higher when the 16-year-old driver took along a teenage passenger.

Even more staggering, the risk jumped to 86 percent when two or more passengers were added to the mix.

Males posed the greater risk.

DR. LI-HUI CHEN, JOHNS HOPKINS U SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: "MALE PASSENGERS MIGHT BE MORE LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE YOU THE DRIVER TO PERFORM SOME RISKY BEHAVIOR."

Surprisingly, students at East High School agreed with the findings. Some say teenage drivers drive differently when peers are in the car.

MAREN STOWELL, AGE 16: "THEY SPEED. THEY DON'T SLOW DOWN FOR TURNS. THEY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO SCHOOL ZONES."

BRAD GREENLAND, AGE 17: "I HAD A FRIEND WHO WAS JUST SHOWBOATING IN HIS JEEP AND SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES FOR THE FUN OF IT - HAD TWO CARS RUN INTO THE BACK OF HIM."

While juniors and seniors say not all teenagers drive foolishly, they admit even the best have difficulty concentrating when peers are on board.

"THERE ARE JUST OTHER DISTRACTIONS GOING ON - THEY'RE TALKING, THEY'RE TURNING THE RADIO ON REALLY LOUD, THEY'RE JUST YELLING - JUST DOING WHATEVER ELSE THEY WANT."

Two of the students we talked to say they do everything they can not to cater to passenger whims or dares.

RICHARD VANORDEN, AGE 18: "I DON'T LIKE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I'M NOT THAT BRAVE OR DUMB - EITHER WAY YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT."

JOSEPH ORME, AGE 17: "IT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE A CAR AND TO DRIVE IT. I MEAN YOUR FRIENDS LIVES AND YOUR LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS."

Based on the study, Johns Hopkins reseachers are not only recommending a graduated licensing program for teenagers, but also restrictions on nightime driving and carrying a load of passengers until the driver reaches a certain age.