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Several Factors Affect Risk of Crashes in Teenage Drivers

TUESDAY, Sept. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Parenting styles and primary access to vehicles significantly affects crash risks in teen drivers, according to two studies published in the October issue of Pediatrics.

In one study, Kenneth R. Ginsburg, M.D., of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues analyzed data on 5,665 students in grades nine to 11 who participated in the 2006 National Young Driver Survey. Compared to teens with uninvolved or permissive parents, they found that those with authoritative parents were significantly less likely to have crashes in the previous year (odds ratio, 0.47) and significantly more likely to use seat belts (odds ratio, 1.94).

In a second study, J. Felipe Garcia-Espana, Ph.D., also of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues studied survey responses of 2,167 students in grades nine to 11. Compared to teens with shared access to vehicles, they found those with primary access were significantly more likely to experience crashes (risk ratio, 2.05).

"Studies show that carefully monitoring new teen drivers and slowly increasing driving time and privileges reduce crashes," Garcia-Espana and colleagues conclude. "Although reducing teen primary access to a vehicle may be inconvenient, there may be benefits in reducing crash risk."

Abstract - Ginsburg
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Abstract - Garcia-Espana
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