For teen drivers, rowdy friends may be more dangerous than phones

Teen drivers distracted by passengers' loud talking and fooling around are more likely to be involved in serious incidents than those distracted by technology such as cell phones, according to a new study.

"Forty-three states currently restrict newly licensed drivers from having more than one young passenger in their vehicle," Robert Foss, senior research scientist at the University of North Carolina's Highway Safety Research Center, said in a university news release.

"The results of this study illustrate the importance of such restrictions, which increase the safety of drivers, their passengers and others on the road by reducing the potential chaos that novice drivers experience," added Foss, also director of the Center for the Study of Young Drivers.

The young drivers were less likely to use cell phones and other technology -- including in-vehicle systems such as sound systems and temperature control -- when they had passengers with them.

The risk of a serious incident -- such as having to take evasive action to avoid a crash -- was six times higher when the teen drivers had passengers who were talking loudly and three times higher when passengers were horsing around.

The researchers also found that driver actions, such as texting, using a cell phone, eating and reaching for things, appeared less likely to cause a serious incident than passengers' behavior, according to the study published online April 17 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"This is why the limit of one teen passenger is important when teens are just learning to drive," Foss said.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers teen driver safety tips.