Given the recent tragic accident involving Macy Cooke, I was again reminded how important it is to what type of vehicle we choose for our children and love ones. According to the latest research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), majority of teenagers are driving vehicles that can be not safe. When it comes to a vehicle for teenagers, the first thing that comes to most of our mind is the budget to buy the vehicle. IHSS found out with a survey that 83 percent of the teenagers taking that survey by IHHS bought older used vehicles.
Teenagers and parents are more likely to buy mini cars or small cars and used vehicles that are of the year 2006 or older. Teenagers would be better off if they would drive bigger, heavier and newer vehicles because older vehicles are less likely to have safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC) and side airbags.
“Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to get a safe vehicle for a teenager at the prices most people are paying,” says Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president for research. “Our advice to parents would be to remember the risks teens take and consider paying a little more.”
Below is the list of recommendations on teen vehicle choice, provided by IIHS that are guided by four main principles:
- Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower.
Vehicles with bigger engines give young drivers the opportunity to make bigger mistakes. - Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash.
There are no minicars or small cars on the recommended list. Small SUVs are included because their weight is similar to that of a midsize car. - ESC is a must. (Electronic Stability Control) This feature, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads, reduces risk on a level comparable to safety belts.
- Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible.
At a minimum, that means good ratings in the IIHS moderate overlap front test, acceptable ratings in the IIHS side crash test and four or five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“A teenager’s first car is more than just a financial decision,” says IIHS President Adrian Lund. “These lists of recommended used vehicles can help consumers factor in safety, in addition to affordability.”
Recommended used vehicles for teens provided by IIHS, starting under $20,000 and under $10,000 can be accessed here.
The majority of people do not fully appreciate the fact that car makers are required to design vehicle so that a person will survive in a collision. This concept is known as crash worthiness. If you have been injured or had a loved one killed in a used vehicle accident, and you think it could be related to some safety defects as airbags, seat belt, rollover, structure issues etc., please contact our firm so that we may discuss and explore a possible recovery.