Underage driving as an indicator of risky behavior in children and adolescents.

Driving among children and adolescents below the legal driving age in Texas was examined. There were 4170 accidents between 1995 and 2000 (66.5% involved injury/fatality). Drivers were more often male, and underage driving was greatest during the late afternoon/early evening. Risk of severe injury or death was inversely related to speed and nighttime driving, and was greater in rural areas, in accidents involving passengers and among black children and youth compared with white.