A recent national research report from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and State Farm Insurance Companies shows that the impact of teen driver crashes extends far beyond teen drivers' families and friends. In 2008, more than half a million (681,000) people were involved in crashes where a teen driver was behind the wheel. More than 40,000 were injured, and nearly 30 percent of those who died in these crashes were not in cars driven by teens.

Researchers focus on four key behaviors among teen drivers that contribute to crashes or crash fatalities that can also be tracked using federal data sources: failure to use seat belts, speeding, alcohol use, and distracted driving.

The report also shows that more teens die from car crashes than from cancer, homicide, and suicide combined. Teen driver and peer passenger deaths account for one-quarter (24 percent) of total teen deaths from any cause. However, the authors stress that teen fatalities are just "the tip of the iceberg." Thousands more - including friends, family members, and others on the road - suffer physical injuries, psychological trauma, and disruption to their everyday lives.

The full report and more information can be found at www.TeenDriverSource.org.