For many parents, trying to decide what car to purchase their teen is an overwhelming, stressful experience. As a parent, your top priority is most likely safety and cost. This is with good reason, as car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers, according to information gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Before buying a set of wheels for your teen, make sure they are properly educated on safe driving. Good driving practices and skills are just as important as a safe vehicle.
Here are a few tips on buying a safe car for teens:
• Avoid large vehicles. Many people believe that a bigger car means more safety, but that could be furthest from the truth. Vehicles such as trucks, full-size sedans, and larger SUVS can be unwieldy and difficult to manage, especially for an inexperienced driver. Large SUVS and trucks tend to have higher centers of gravity, making them more susceptible to rollovers.
• Avoid tiny compacts and subcompacts. When it comes to crash protection, these miniature versions of their larger siblings don’t fare as well.
• Midsize sedans are the perfect balance. Midsize sedans offer the right balance between safety and maneuverability for teens. These cars offer enough protection in a crash but are also small enough to be handled easy.
• Go for the smaller engine. A lot of horsepower is too much temptation and danger for teens. With a bigger engine, teens are most likely to drive faster. Four-cylinder engines offer limited acceleration capabilities while providing better fuel economy.
• Look for safety features and technology. Many cars nowadays come loaded with safety features. When shopping for a car, look for cars that electronic stability control (ESC). This technology helps drivers maintain control of the car during extreme steering maneuvers by keeping it in the driver’s intended direction. Blind spot monitoring, back up cameras, and crash-avoidance technologies are also extremely helpful features.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.
