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Abstract
This paper provides new insight into the situational risks of young drivers, especially
in terms of the passenger effect. Two 1988 data bases from the Ontario Ministry of
Transportation were used to estimate accident involvement rates by number of passengers,
time of day and day of the week--first individually and then for all two-way combinations
with the passenger variable. Accident data were derived from police reports for all
accidents involving a fatality, personal injury or property damage exceeding $700.
Estimates of exposure were based on the most up-to-date provincial travel survey available
at the time of the study. Results indicate that the accident involvement rates of
16-19 year old drivers are higher than those of 20-24 and 25-59 year olds in all situations
that were examined, but that they were disproportionately high on weekends, at nighttime
and with passengers. The results of the passenger variable are particularly interesting
because, unlike weekends and nighttime, the negative effect of passengers on overall
accident rates was evident only for 16-19 year old drivers. This effect was quite
pronounced for both sexes, with accident involvement rates being approximately twice
as high with passengers as without. For 16-19 year olds, accident rates were also
significantly higher for two or more passengers versus one passenger. The highest
rates for this age group occurred with passengers at nighttime. Possible explanations
for these patterns and policy implications are discussed.