title: Teen Drivers' Perceptions of Their Peer Passengers: Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of peer passengers increases teenage drivers' fatal crash risk. Distraction and social influence are the two main factors that have been associated with increased risk. Teen drivers' perceptions of their peer passengers on these factors could inform our understanding of the conditions under which peer passengers increase crash risk or promote safer driving. The purpose of this study was to examine teen drivers' perceptions of their peer passengers on distraction and social influence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of male and female drivers participated in a semi-structured interview that included questions on their perceptions of the effects of peer passengers on driving on distraction and social influence. The analysis of the interviews was guided by a grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Teenage drivers were aware of the risk that peer passengers posed. Some described having passengers in the vehicle as distracting, and recognized that the level of distraction increased with the number of passengers in the vehicle. Drivers that felt responsible for the safety of their peer passengers described strategies they used to control the in-vehicle environment. Drivers described driving with passengers as a performance, and articulated direct and indirect sources of pressure, gender norms, and unspoken expectations of their passengers as influencing their driving behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The influence of passengers is situation specific and dependent on whom the passenger(s) may be. Passenger influence may be either protective or harmful, depending on the circumstances. Some passengers exert direct influence, but often their influence appears more indirect and subtle.
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: Johnathon P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ehsani
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892, Telephone: 301-435-6933.
authors.forename: Denise L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Haynie
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892, Telephone: 301-435-6933.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luthers
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892, Telephone: 301-435-6933.
authors.forename: Jessamyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perlus
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892, Telephone: 301-435-6933.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, Telephone: 450-463-1835.
authors.forename: Marie Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ouimet
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, Telephone: 540-231-1564.
authors.forename: Sheila G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Klauer
authors.affiliation: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd 7B13 Bethesda, MD 20892, Telephone: 301-496-5674.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Simons-Morton