The first year is the most dangerous year for a new driver. New drivers are 8 times more likely to die in a crash than more experienced drivers. Most teens look forward to getting their first car. When we think back to our own first cars, we probably weren’t driving the safest vehicle on the market. Teens typically drive an old family vehicle, or a used car they can afford themselves, which may not be in the best condition.
Cost is almost always a big factor when choosing which car to buy, but safety features should be the biggest priority when choosing which car your teen should drive.
Common Teen Driver Challenges
Teens face higher risks on the road. Here are some challenges teens face:
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Looking away from the path of travel
- Driving through a curve too fast
- Failure to search through intersections, resulting in being hit by cross traffic
- Steering too much or too little for how fast the car is traveling
- Not looking ahead while driving
- Not maintaining enough following distance
- Willfully taking the right-of-way when not warranted
- Driving while distracted and/or not paying attention
When choosing a vehicle for your teen, it’s important to keep these challenges in mind. Luckily, there are lots of safety features available to help keep your teen safe.
Car Safety Features that Benefit Teen Drivers
Car technology is constantly changing and improving. There are many features available that can really help your teen out on the road! Keep in mind, however, that car technology can’t replace a safe driver. Technology can assist the driver, but good driving habits will be the best way for your teen to stay safe out there.
Here are some of the features you should look for when purchasing a vehicle for your teen:
- Tire Pressure Monitor: Tire pressure is very important to safe driving. This system monitors the air pressure in your tires, and will usually display a warning light if your tires aren’t properly-inflated.
- Lane Departure Warnings: These alert the driver when they detect the vehicle is moving out of the lane without the driver first using a directional signal.
- Lane Keeping Assist: This system detects when the vehicle is straying from its lane, and will apply some input on the steering wheel to move back into the lane the vehicle was in.
- Blind Spot Warning: This system helps alert the driver when there’s another vehicle alongside the driver’s vehicle. This sometimes includes a warning light, sound, or a combination of both to get the driver’s attention.
- Forward Collision Warning: This is usually a visual alert as well as an audio alert that lets a driver know that a collision with an object in front of the vehicle is imminent.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: This system automatically applies the brakes when it detects an impending collision with an object directly in the vehicle’s path of travel, which helps prevent or minimize collisions.
- Pedestrian Detection: This system can help alert the driver when pedestrians are deemed to be a hazard. It may work in conjunction with the brakes of the vehicle to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
- Daytime Running Lights: This is a passive system, which means you don’t have to do anything extra or special to engage it. Your headlights will be illuminated at all times, even in daylight, which makes your vehicle more visible from a distance.
- Rearview or Backup Cameras: Backup cameras give you a live view of what is happening behind the vehicle when your transmission is in reverse. Usually the image is displayed on a monitor in the dash or on the rear-view mirror. This is super helpful and makes backing up less stressful.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This system is really handy when backing up. It alerts the driver when hazards are approaching the vehicle from the sides. You still need to check your surroundings first, but rear cross-traffic alerts are helpful in emergency situations!
- Adaptive Cruise Control: This system adjusts the set speed of the cruise control when it detects other vehicles ahead that are moving more slowly, which helps avoid collisions.
- High Beam Assist: This is helpful at night because it can automatically turn the vehicle’s high beam lights on and off, adjusting to surrounding traffic conditions.
- Following Distance Indicator: This is really cool because it tells you how many seconds are between you and the vehicle ahead of you, so you know if you need to increase your following distance.
The Best Cars for Teen Drivers
There are many cars to choose from that can help keep your teen safe on the road within your budget.
- Best affordable small car: If you’re looking for a small car, a 2014 or newer Toyota Prius is an excellent choice! The electric motor will make your teen feel better about their impact on the environment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2014 Prius 4 out of 5 stars, which makes this series of vehicles a good option for those on a budget.
- Best affordable mid-size car: When it comes to mid-size vehicles, a 2013 or newer Subaru Outback is affordable and safe for your teen. NHTSA gave the 2013 Subaru Outback 5 out of 5 safety rating.
- Best affordable SUV: If your teen is looking for an SUV, a 2014 or newer Mazda CX-5 is a great option when it comes to safety and cost. NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 safety rating.
The bottom line is that safety should come before price when it’s time to choose a vehicle for your teen. We hope this helps with your car-buying journey!
Is your teen ready to take a driver education class? We offer online driver education courses in most states! Click here to visit our website to see the online driver education courses we offer in your state!
The first year is the most dangerous year for a new driver. New drivers are 8 times more likely to die in a crash than more experienced drivers. Most teens look forward to getting their first car. When we think back to our own first cars, we probably weren’t driving the safest vehicle on the market. Teens typically drive an old family vehicle, or a used car they can afford themselves, which may not be in the best condition.