News and Events Archives
Real Risks Faced by Teen Drivers: A Photo Essay
May 9, 2008 — A photo essay published in the on-line version of U.S. News and World Report powerfully reinforces the gap between what teens perceive as leading driving risks and what actually are the main causes of teen crashes. The essay draws on results from the National Teen Driver Survey published in the May 2008 issue of Pediatrics. The survey was conducted by Center researchers as part of the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI), a research and outreach alliance of CHOP and State Farm Insurance Companies.
View the photo essay
Thousands of Teens Reveal Their Driving Perceptions and Experience in Scientific Survey; Researchers Identify Gaps in Education
May 5, 2008 — In a study released today in the journal Pediatrics, more than 5,000 teens identified the factors they perceived as most important in a safe driving situation and then estimated how often they see their peers exhibit these behaviors. Their answers revealed important gaps in teens’ understanding of factors that can lead to crashes.
Read the press release
Download an audio news release
Young Drivers On the Radar: Steering Teen Drivers to Safety
March 27, 2008 — In this Wall Street Journal on-line Q&A Dr. Flaura Winston, co-scientific director of the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI), offers answers and insights from the latest research on how to crash-proof kids.
Read the article
CHOP Researchers Support New Recommendations from the New Jersey Teen Driver Study Commission
March 26, 2008 — Researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) support the comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations released today by the New Jersey Teen Driver Study Commission. Researchers applaud New Jersey's efforts to set new policies and recommend similar measures for other states.
Read CHOP's statement
View the Commission's full report
Half of the Kids Who Died in Crashes Driven By Teens
March 3, 2008 — In this MSNBC.com feature, Dr. Flaura Winston, co-scientific director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP, explains new research findings about tween and teen passengers.
Read the article
Car Crash Deaths Increase Starting at Age 12
March 3, 2008 — Older child passengers, ages 12 to 17, are more likely to die in a car crash than younger children, according to a study released today in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. This risk increases with each teenage year. The study offers evidence-based guidelines for parents and policymakers to help protect this vulnerable age group. Researchers advise parents to talk about safe passenger behaviors by age 12.
Read the press release and watch a video
Teens Meet in Washington, DC to Address Teen Driver Safety
October 15, 2007 — As part of the first-ever National Teen Driver Safety Week, teens from across the country are meeting in Washington, DC to talk about real solutions that can change driving behaviors and save lives.
Read the press release
Child Passengers Safer When Teen Driver Is Sibling
June 14, 2007 — A study released this week from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm found that although children driven by teens are twice as likely to suffer crash injury as those driven by adults, their risk is 40 percent lower if the teenage driver is a sibling. The research, published this week in the journal Injury Prevention, may offer insights for parents and state lawmakers who are involved in setting standards for graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws for young drivers.
Read the press release
Congressional Resolution Would Address Teen Driver Deaths
June 6, 2007 — Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Senator Bob Casey (D- PA) joined with over 50 co-sponsors today to introduce a bipartisan resolution in Congress that would establish the third week in October as National Teen Driver Safety Week. The Week is expected to increase community awareness of this important issue.
Read the press release
Survey Describes Factors Involved in Teen Crashes
January 25, 2007 — In a new national survey released today, 5,665 high school students said they are driving under extremely dangerous conditions, including while talking on cell phones, with strong emotions, while tired, and with multiple passengers. Many also admit to not wearing seat belts. The National Teen Driver Survey, released today by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm, represents 10.6 million 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in all public high schools in the United States.
Read the press release
Read the Report—Driving: Through the Eyes of Teens 
