Auto Dealerships Offer Tips on Finding a Safe Car for Your Teen Driver

Getting your teen their first car almost seems like a rite of passage nowadays. Your child might be over the moon at the prospect of finally getting behind the wheel, but it’s understandable if parents feel a bit anxious. After all, it’s said that the biggest safety threat to teens is driving on the road. This is largely due to the fact that teen drivers tend to have the least safe types of vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Before you head out to auto dealerships to buy your kid a car, consider vehicle safety. Here are a few tips that can help you as you go over your options.

Always Think Big

The saying “bigger is better” isn’t always true, but in the case of vehicle safety, these are wise words to live by. Smaller cars, even those that boast of several high-tech safety features, simply have nothing on bigger, heavier rides. Vehicle types such as SUVs have bigger crush zones and longer hoods, which give them an advantage in frontal crashes.

Their heavier built and frame also protects drivers and passengers from non-collisions like rollovers. Forget about handing down your old sedan to your teen. The extra money you will spend on a bulkier vehicle will be a great investment toward road safety.

Go Slow and Steady

Sports cars are hardly ideal for your child’s first vehicle for more reasons other than its expensive price tag. Giving them access to higher horsepower and stronger engines will only tempt them to put the car through its paces. Cars with less horsepower discourages teens from speeding and other risky driving tactics like aggressive lane-changing, running the red light and challenging friends to races.

Dealers recommend choosing the smallest cylinder and engine option available, as well as the lowest horsepower trim. That should be sufficient for their needs until they can handle something more powerful. You get better fuel economy in the process, too. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Look at the Scores

Organizations such as the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have made it easier for consumers to assess the safety ratings of the cars on the market. They release reports for cars of each model year so buyers can compare. Many, however, are unaware that crash test scores are different for each vehicle class size.

You might be confused as to why a small hatchback has the same safety rating as a hulking SUV. This could lead you to think that both offer the same level of protection, but that is not the case. Comparing safety ratings only work if you do it within the same class size. If you want to make a more in-depth analysis for cars in different classes, you can ask your dealer for help.

Being a smart buyer goes a long way in keeping your kids safe on the road. Ask your dealer for top safety picks to get you started on your search for the right vehicle.

About McLoughlin Chevrolet

Offering both new and used Chevrolet vehicles, as well as GM cars, McLoughlin Chevrolet is the leading car dealership serving Oregon. We treat the needs of our customers with paramount concern to ensure that they have a positive experience on their journey to becoming a car owner. We also provide Chevy service, parts, and repair so that you get the most out of your vehicle.

Sources:

Are SUVs Really Safer Than Cars?, AccessMagazine.org

Safety Rides Shotgun, IIHS.org