Think Safety When Shopping for a Vehicle for Your Teen

Recognizing that drivers spend more time in the car than ever before commuting long distances and transporting family members to and from activities, automakers are equipping their vehicles with a variety of safety and enjoyment extras.

But for all of the millions of dollars spent on automobile research and development, automakers still haven’t marketed a vehicle that can drive itself when the weather gets bad, when a tire blows out, or when another driver becomes distracted and wanders into another’s lane. Seasoned drivers rely on their experience and split-second-decision-making abilities to negotiate these perilous moments.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 68,000 teens have been killed in car crashes in the last decade. Automobile crash experts cite inexperience, low seat belt use, driving with too many passengers in the car, inattention, drugs and alcohol, and excessive speeds as the reasons why teens are involved in so many fatal crashes.

Another culprit is the size and type of vehicle they drive. In an emergency situation, because a young driver has little or no driving experience to draw on, he’s forced to rely on the structural integrity of his vehicle to see him through a collision. The kind of car a teen drives could mean the difference between injury and death.

Does that mean you should rush out and buy a brand new car with all the latest safety options?

Not necessarily. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recommends newer models. They fare better in crash tests than older cars and have additional safety features like air bags, antilock brakes, and passive restraints.

How a vehicle fares in a frontal impact depends on its structural integrity and its crumple and crash zones. The concept of crumple and crash space was first introduced in 1966 when Volvo’s automotive engineers created dedicated zones in the front and rear ends of their automobiles that crumpled in a controlled manner. Crumple zones absorb energy on impact, and since their collapse is controlled, the energy that would otherwise damage a passenger area gets channeled to different parts of the automobile.

Bigger vehicles have longer crumple zones, providing more protection to the passenger areas. However, they’re not an ideal fit for everyone. Consider a young woman of small stature. If she can’t comfortably reach the gas pedals or see over the steering wheel, she’s not going to have good command of the automobile. Consider, too, the rollover issue with sport utility vehicles. Because they have a high center of gravity, they are more prone to rollover than cars. Rollover crashes occur when a vehicle runs off the road and makes contact with a ditch or curb causing it to roll over. Experts cite speed and inattention, two culprits behind teen crash fatalities, as the causal factors in rollovers.

NHTSA conducts frontal and side crash testing on vehicles predicted to have a high sales volume, vehicles that include a new safety feature or have been structurally redesigned. The agency also assigns vehicle rollover resistance ratings. They publish their results on their Web site. Before you begin to research your automobile’s crash test scores, take a moment to look at the Web site’s “Frequently Asked Questions” page. You’ll glean insight into the different kinds of tests they perform, under which conditions they perform them, and the factors they use to rate performance. Another source for crash test information is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

If you’re in the market for an older model, experts recommend buying a sturdy and reliable, but not overpowered, sedan. Your teen won’t be able to drive at excessive speeds, but if he loses control of the vehicle, he won’t face the increased rollover risk he would if he was in a high profile vehicle. Make sure the car’s tires and brakes are in excellent shape. Examine seatbelts for loose or fraying fabric and make sure they attach and retract properly. Consider having the car thoroughly checked out by a trusted mechanic.