Driving With Peer Passengers
Newly qualified drivers are more likely to crash when driving with peer passengers, that is, passengers around the same age as the newly qualified driver (see graph below).
- Driving with a car full of peer passengers increases the fatal crash risk by four times compared with driving alone.
- As the number of peer passengers increases, so does the fatal crash risk.
- All newly qualified drivers are more at risk of having a crash when carrying male peer passengers compared to carrying female peer passengers.
- However the risk of a fatal crash is higher for male drivers carrying male peer passengers than female drivers carrying male peer passengers.
Suggestions to reduce the risks…
- Reducing the number of peer passengers is a successful way to lower the crash risk of newly qualified drivers.
- Discuss with your newly qualified driver the importance of being a responsible driver and a responsible passenger (for example the importance of avoiding engaging in distracting conversations, or by using mobile phones).
- Discuss the possibility of your son/daughter not getting rides from peers, especially if there are going to be other peer passengers in the car (for example offer to provide money for a taxi or to pick him/her up).
- Agree limits for carrying peer passengers for your newly qualified driver in their first 12-months of driving (see the Vehicle Access Agreement).
Did you know?
- Peer passengers can be distracting for drivers as they often engage in demanding conversations, give last minute directions, and comment on things outside the vehicle.
- Newly qualified male drivers often engage in risk-taking, such as driving recklessly, to impress passengers.
