While most parents will be happy about their child getting their driver’s license, most will have apprehensions as well, and that’s perfectly understandable. Young inexperienced drivers are implicated in a large portion of accidents on the road, and you don’t want your child to be another statistic. The good news is that you can greatly reduce these risks by choosing the right car for them. Let’s take a look at how to choose a safe vehicle for your teen.
Look at Safety Ratings
The very first thing you want to do is check the safety ratings for any vehicle. These will give you an idea of how well the vehicle reacts in collisions. They look at the level of injuries the driver would get if they were involved in collisions from different angles.
Both the IIHS and the NHTSA conduct crash tests and make the results public. The NHTSA awards 5-star ratings to the safest vehicles and the IIHS has a list of safest vehicles that you can check. According to the IIHS, their top safety picks are the vehicles that perform the best in rollovers as well as frontal, back, and side collisions.
Think Twice about Buying a “Beater”
A lot of parents have the idea of buying an old beater car for their teens. They think that they should practice on an old car so that the cost in case of an accident will be lower. Little do they know that they could be putting their child at risk.
Older vehicles do not have the latest safety technology. Vehicles are getting safer every year and it goes much further than just features. They are also made to be more maneuverable and react better if you need to stop quickly or avoid obstacles. So, instead of buying an old clunker, we suggest that you look at more recent vehicles. If they’re too expensive for you, consider leasing a vehicle. But never, under any circumstances, go for a vehicle older than 5 years.
Sit Down with Them
You also need to sit down with your teen and see what they would like. You’ll be able to look at options and make compromises. It would be an excellent time to educate them on how to deal with accidents as well.
You should also consider looking at a few car accident injury lawyers so you can have their number on hand in case something happens. Firms like Horst Shewmaker are a great example. They will help your child avoid making mistakes if they cause a crash, and help them get the compensation they deserve if they’re the victim.
Look Into the Performance
Last, but not least, you want to make sure that it’s going to be a vehicle they’ll be able to handle. Don’t go for anything over 4 cylinders. And don’t be fooled by a car’s size. Sub-compacts can pack a lot of punch these days, so do your research on the vehicle’s performance first and avoid anything too sporty.
Conclusion
These are all things you’ll need to take into consideration when choosing a vehicle for a teen. While they can provide their input, their safety has to come first, so make it a priority.
