Study: Few teen passengers are assertive against risky driving

Nov 25, 2008

Although some teenagers say they would stop risky driving behaviors such as text messaging or street racing if their passengers asked, few teen passengers actually make the request. This is according to a study released Oct. 20 by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Researchers surveyed 3,580 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders from 29 randomly recruited high schools nationwide. Of the 73 percent who admitted to texting while driving, 76 percent said they would stop if asked by a passenger. However, only 46 percent of teen passengers said they would speak up.

Meanwhile, 87 percent of teens surveyed said they would refrain from street racing if asked by passengers, yet only 57 percent of teen passengers said they would request the driver to stop. Researchers report street racing has increased in the past few years, forcing California, Massachusetts and Illinois to revisit or enact laws prohibiting street racing and other risky teen driving behaviors.