Finding a Safe Car for Your Teenager

As a parent, you always want your child to be safe. Purchasing a safe car is one way to help protect your child. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, many parents buy cars that offer inadequate crash protection. 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) surveyed 500 parents and found that 83% bought used cars for their teen drivers. More than half were cars manufactured before 2007. Older cars often lack the modern safety features we expect from newer vehicles, like electronic stability control and side airbags. Additionally, mini-cars and small cars, which do not hold up well in crashes, were most commonly purchased by those surveyed.

The IIHS has created a list of recommended vehicles for parents looking for an affordable and safe car for their teen driver. The prices of these vehicles range from less than $5,000 to $20,000.

In addition to its list of recommended vehicles, IIHS also offered the following guidelines for parents searching for a safe car for their teen driver:

• Don’t buy a vehicle with high horsepower. Young drivers can be impulsive, so to minimize risk, don’t put them behind the wheel of a sports car or a car that has a high-powered engine.
• In a crash, bigger is better. Larger, heavier vehicles can handle the impact of an accident much better than small compact vehicles.
• Seek a car with electronic stability control. Larger vehicles may withstand a crash much better, but many are also prone to flipping over. Therefore, it’s essential to look for a car with electronic stability control (ESC) to help the driver maneuver on curvy or slippery roads. ESC saves as many lives as seat belts, according to IIHS.
• Check the safety ratings. IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) routinely rate car safety. Parents should focus on finding a vehicle with the best ratings in their price range, including “good” ratings in the moderate-overlap crash test, “acceptable” ratings in the side-impact tests, and 4-5 stars from NHTSA.
• Buy a car with side airbags. Automakers have lots of room to build safety features into the front and back of a vehicle; however, the car’s sides are more exposed. Side impact airbags can help protect the vehicle’s occupants from striking parts inside the car and elements outside the car. Additionally, side airbags evenly disperse the impact reducing the risk of serious injury.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a new driver, we can help. Contact Saladino & Schaaf today or call us at 270-444-0406 (Paducah, KY) or 270-753-1529 (Murray, KY) to schedule a free case review. You may be entitled to a settlement for your injuries, but you must act quickly. There are time limits on legal action.