Teen passenger safety behaviors improved in 2011: study

Philadelphia – Teen passengers in motor vehicles practiced safer behaviors in 2011 than previous years, according to a new study (.pdf file) from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm.

Researchers determined that:

• In 2011, 933 teen passengers 15-19 years old died in crashes in which a teen was driving – 30 percent fewer than in 2008.
• 50 percent of teen passengers who died in a crash involving a teen driver in 2011 were not wearing safety belts, down from 65 percent in 2008.
• In general, 46 percent of teen passengers reported they do not always wear a safety belt, down from 51 percent in 2008.

Additionally, 24 percent reported getting in the car at least once in the previous month with a driver who had been drinking, a decrease of 14 percent from 2008, a CHOP press release states.

Researchers recommended states establish stronger Graduated Driver Licensing programs to further reduce the number of teen drivers and passengers killed in crashes.