Two recent studies conducted show that while most teens take driving responsibility seriously, some do not. The studies' author said that it was found that teenage passengers often encourage unsafe driving -- some intentionally and some unintentionally. The first study of 198 teenagers showed that those teens more likely to have teenaged passengers were thrill-seekers. Those teens also said that their parents did not set rules and did not care where the teens were. They also had poor understanding of driving risks.

While it has been known that teenagers driving with other teenagers in the car increases car accidents, the second study in question involved teenagers involved in serious car accidents. The study found that the distraction of other teenagers was often the cause of the accident.

The studies' author said that during the first year a teenager drives, it is best to limit the number of passengers because teens have a hard enough time managing the rules of the road without adding distractions. Limiting teenagers' social activities while driving can reduce the chance of a car accident occurring.

The studies also found that teenagers who have parents who do not set rules and teenagers that tend to be thrill-seekers are more likely to drive with other teens in the car rather than teens who have a set of rules to go by and who are not so adventurous. This includes teenagers in California. Some states have graduated licensing laws that do not allow teens to drive with teen passengers.

One of the studies' other authors stated that the studies help people understand why teenagers get into car accidents. Teenaged passengers tend to encourage speeding, weaving and tailgating. The studies will be used to develop programs that are to be implemented with graduated driver licensing laws.

Source: USA Today, "Teen driver's friends can be dangerous distractions, studies find," Robert Preidt, Jan. 30, 2012