Teenage drivers are three times more likely to experience a vehicle accident than those 20 years and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Our Car Accident Lawyers agree, the IIHS is a great source of information on teen driver safety, including what to look for when purchasing a used vehicle for teenagers and even which makes and models are safest. If you’re in the market for a safe used car for your teenager, don’t miss this summary of IIHS safety tips and vehicle recommendations!
Tips for Choosing the Safest Used Car for Your Teen
Avoid High Horsepower – The more power an engine has, the faster it can go. To help ensure your teenager obeys speed limits, the IIHS recommends avoiding vehicles with high horsepower.
The Larger & Heavier, the Better – IIHS data shows that teen drivers are less likely to experience a crash in large, heavy vehicles. Plus, they provide more protection around your driver. The IIHS does not include any small or mini-sized cars on its recommended vehicles for teen drivers list.
Electronical Stability Control (ESC) is Crucial – ESC is a safety feature found in many cars. It helps a driver maintain control of the car when traveling on curves or slippery roads. This is a crucial feature for young drivers who have much less experience with the difficulty of curves and driving in inclement weather. IIHS data reports ESC provides protection on a level nearly equal to safety belts.
Choose Vehicles with the Best Safety Ratings – According to the IIHS, cars with the best safety ratings meet the following qualifications: they must have 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 Safety Administration.
Unfamiliar with which cars meet all four of the criteria described above? No problem. 12 of the 20 used vehicles priced $10,000 or less on the IIHS’s list of “Best Used Vehicle Choices for Teens” are displayed in the infographic picture here. To view all vehicles on the list regardless of price, you can click here.
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