Crash risk to teenage passengers

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The AA is calling on parents to check who is driving their children to and from Christmas celebrations this year.

It says teenage girls are at increased risk of being killed or seriously injured while travelling as passengers over the Christmas period.

Females in their late teens are more likely to be injured than drivers, according to the AA.

It suggests that youngsters returning from a club or pub are most at risk around midnight.

The AA's research is published a few days after the launch of this year's government drink-driving campaign.

The Think! Christmas drink-drive campaign is targeted at young male drivers in the 17-to -29 age range.

It highlights some of the consequences of being caught over the limit which include a criminal record.

The AA's findings are based on data collected from 2006 which found 363 young women were either seriously injured or killed as passengers.

This compares with 276 female drivers either seriously injured or killed.

There were 869 deaths and serious injuries in 2006 involving male drivers compared to 602 being taken as passengers in 2006.

The AA is warning parents to 'watch out' for teenagers driving themselves to Christmas parties and taking a lift with a friend.