We've written numerous posts about the dangers of distracted driving, as well as the dangers inexperienced teenage drivers cause. When those two forces are combined -- distracted teenage drivers -- it's an alarming combination. Unfortunately, the results of a recent survey of more than 1,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 shows that the combination -- distracted teenage drivers -- is common.

Nearly 50 percent of the teens surveyed said they talk on their cellphones when they are driving and don't use hands-free devices. In addition, more than 25 percent said they text while driving. Their answers were perplexing, however, because an overwhelming majority also said they're concerned about distracted driving as a safety risk.

So what combination of those factors is it that leads teens to put down their phones when there are other teens in the car? Researchers aren't certain, but they believe there are several factors that could lead to fewer car accidents in Baton Rouge.

One of the first reasons researchers believe teens are less likely to text while they're driving is because they'll already be engaged in conversation with the other people in the car. In addition, nearly 50 percent of teen drivers admitted that they have asked their peers to put their phones down when they're driving.

Although teenagers know that texting and driving is unsafe, perhaps a little peer pressure is what it takes for them to actually shut off their phones.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Can teens prevent friends from texting and driving?" Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, May 30, 2012