According to new research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most of the teenagers are driving vehicles that are not safe. When it comes to a vehicle for teenagers, one of 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 used vehicles.
Teenagers are more likely to buy mini cars or small cars and used vehicles that are of the year 2006 or earlier. It would be better if they can have bigger, heavier and newer vehicles because older vehicles are less likely to have safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC) and side airbags.
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 more powerful engines can tempt them to test the limits. - 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. 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.
Vehicle Safety Attorney, E. Todd Tracy has tried 124 cases against GMC, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, TRW, Key Safety, Allied Signal, Breed, Takata, JCI, and Dorel Juvenile Group.
Mr. Tracy strongly suggests that 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 etc. to contact his law firm and discuss it with one of the attorneys or staff members.
Source: IIHS, The TRACY Firm | PJ | Original Publication: July 16th 2014 | Updated: January 8th 2015
