KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - An update to a AAA study shows 58% of Tennessee teen crashes, during a 10 year period, killed persons other than teen drivers.
Although AAA says the teen driving situation is getting better, one teen death is too many and they hope this study helps.

"When teens get involved in crashes, more people than the teen drivers themselves are killed, usually many more," says Don Lindsey with AAA.

That's the update of study conducted by AAA that looked at the results of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. The study shows between 1998 and 2007, crashes that involved 15, 16 and 17-year-olds killed 850 people. 354 of those people were teen drivers themselves. Of the other 496, 244 were passengers of the teens, 216 were passengers of other vehicles and 36 were pedestrians and others.

"Teen driving is a problem, can be a problem for all of us," says Lindsey.

That's why Greg Mangan, with Driver 4 Life Academy, spends so much time on safety in his driver education courses. "We really make them understand how many teens are being killed and how many others the teens themselves are hurting, killing, injuring."

Mangan says the biggest problem for teens are all the distractions. Anything from cell phones to food is too much for a teen driver to handle when they're behind the wheel. "Drive the car when they're driving and leave the other things for another time."

He stresses that parents can put the brake on these bad habits by practicing instead of waiting until the unthinkable happens. "It's sad, but often it takes a teen having a friend, family member or someone, seriously injured or die in a crash before that light goes off for them."

The study also shows that parental involvement can go a long way and even save lives.

"It's important to stay involved with the teen driver by setting limits, sticking with them and making sure all the family understands what those limits are. Then rewarding teens when they do a good job," says Lindsey.

If you want more information about how to help your teen be a safe driver, you can contact AAA at 865-862-9252.