Parents with a teenage driver in the household will always worry about their child’s safety, but especially when it comes to choosing a car for them. Teenagers need to be protected as they fall into the highest risk category when it comes to car accidents. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading cause of death for teenagers is automobile crashes.
What Factors are Important for Safety?
When choosing a car for a teenage driver, size and engine strength are two important factors. In tests done by Consumer Reports, bigger cars perform better in crash tests than economy vehicles. However, large and heavy cars may be somewhat more difficult and unwieldy to handle for a new driver.
A large car can also transport more passengers, and teenage drivers need to avoid distractions while driving as much as possible. For every teenage passenger in the car, the likelihood of a crash increases dramatically. Larger, higher vehicles are also more likely to rollover in the event of a crash or sudden maneuver. When choosing the size of the car, stick to a mid-size or full-size model with good safety features and ratings. Some of the newer safety features include:
- Blind Spot Warning Systems: The system flashes a light or beeps when another car is occupying the vehicle’s blind spot.
- Automatic Emergency Braking Systems: The vehicle brakes on its own when it senses it is too close to another object.
- Forward-Collision Warning Systems: The system warns the driver with visual or audio cues that another car is in its path.
Several car makers also have new technology available that lets parents set audio volume limits. Some technology even alerts a parent when a teenager is driving over a certain speed or past a designated curfew time.
Engine strength is extremely important to consider when choosing a car for a teenager. Avoid powerful sporty engines. Too much capability can make driving at high speeds seem too easy and lead to crashes. Many teenagers do not have the maturity to resist the temptations of a powerful engine.
Consult Trusted Sources
Parents have many resources to turn to when looking for a safe car for their teenager. The NHTSA does safety tests, and the top models receive five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also conducts independent crash testing and posts the results every year. Parents can also consult the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Automotive Technology Update, which provides expert information on a wide range of topics related to modern vehicles, such as performance and maintenance.
Brooklyn Car Crash Lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano Provide Experienced Counsel to Accident Victims
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash caused by the negligence of another person, a Brooklyn car crash lawyer at Eaton & Torrenzano can help you. Call us at 718-332-7766 or contact us online for a free consultation today. Located in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, as well as Hillsborough, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Manhattan, Kings County, and Richmond County.