What are the safest cars for teen drivers? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teenagers have a higher risk of accidents because of their inexperience and immaturity, so choosing a safe vehicle is crucial. Before you visit your friendly dealership, consider the facts.
Dangers connected to teen driving
For American teenagers, car accidents are the main cause of death. In 2020, 227,000 teenagers aged 13 to 19 were injured and 2,800 died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, according to BankRate. Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the highest crash risk of any age group. Teen drivers in this age group have a fatal crash rate that is almost three times higher per mile driven than drivers ages 20 and older.
Safest Cars for Teen Drivers
Based on criteria such as safety ratings and dependability, CBS News has compiled a list of the best cars for teen drivers:
- 2016 Toyota Prius
- 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2016 Honda Civic
- 2016 Mazda CX-5
- 2016 Subaru Outback
These cars all have electronic stability control as standard equipment and have received high safety ratings from IIHS. Additionally, they have Consumer Reports reliability ratings that are above average (4 or 5 out of 5) for the majority of the model years listed, as well as emergency handling ratings that are higher than or equal to 3 out of 5.
Some safety features available include:
- Adaptive cruise control automatically modifies the car’s speed to maintain a predetermined distance from the driver’s car and surrounding vehicles.
- Blind-spot monitoring warns drivers when there’s a vehicle in their blind spot.
- Lane-keeping assist makes use of a camera-based vision system to monitor the position of the car in its lane and automatically and continuously apply steering inputs to keep it centered.
- Automatic emergency braking automatically applies the brakes when it senses an impending collision with another vehicle or an object, helping to avoid collisions.
- Airbags quickly inflate upon impact to protect passengers in the event of a collision.
Additionally, all of these automobiles scored well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s initial head restraint, moderate overlap front, roof strength, and side tests.
These automobiles all have a curb weight of over 2,750 pounds and come with electronic stability control. Additionally, they have Consumer Reports reliability ratings that are above average, meaning 4 or 5 out of 5, for most of the model years listed, as well as emergency handling ratings that are higher than or equal to 3 out of 5. Although these cars have been approved for use by teen drivers, it is important to remember that safe driving practices and adherence to the law are still essential.
The riskiest period for a teen driver is the first year after getting their license. In fact, one out of every five 16-year-old drivers has a collision, and the first few months have a higher-than-average crash risk. After all, the riskiest activity we do during the day is still driving. Making sure your teen is in a well-built car, and that they know the rules of the road will help to keep them safe. Researching the safest cars will only go so far, teaching them how to operate a vehicle safely is most important.
