Research suggests that the presence of passengers is associated with an increased risk of crash involvement and death among teenage drivers. Restrictions on carrying passengers are included in some graduated licensing systems. A study was conducted to predict the net effects of restrictions against 16-17 year old drivers carrying passengers on all classes of road users. Two US datasets, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS) were used to calculate road user death rates in 1995 and the potential effects of restrictions on teenage drivers carrying passengers were estimated. The results suggested that restrictions on 16- and 17-year-old drivers carrying passengers younger than age 20 would significantly reduce road user deaths. With compliance rates of 50%, such passenger carrying restrictions would cause an estimated reduction in road user deaths of 15-22%.
Abstract