Your child is headed back to school – high school and/or college. They have visions of convertibles and sports cars. Your vision is safety and reliability.
Indeed, buying a vehicle for your teenager is a milestone moment and a big decision.
Of course, when your child gets behind the wheel and hits the road, you want that vehicle to safely get your child to school. It’s a known fact that accidents are higher for teenagers than any other age group. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, (IIHS), the fatal crash rate per mile driven for teens ages 16 to 19 years is roughly three times the rate for drivers 20 years and older.
Top five safety features
Here’s what every car should have for your teen:
Don’t overlook safety features in your vehicle – airbags, anti-lock brake system, traction control system, electronic stability control, and rearview mirror.
- Airbags – provide crucial cushioning during an accident. The vehicle should have airbags for the front seat with two side bags.
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS)– helps you steer as you brake in emergencies.
- Traction controlsystem (TCS) – limits how much the wheels can spin, making it easier to stay connected to the surface you’re driving on.
- Electronic stability control (ESC)– stabilizes the vehicle and prevents skidding.
- Rearview mirror or camera– allows the driver to see the area behind the wheel.
An anti-lock braking system prevents wheel lock-up and allows you to steer during sudden braking.
Other safety features to consider include outboard mirrors with turn-signal indicators, tilt-steering wheel, LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, cruise control, and auto on-off headlights.
(SOURCE: Autotrader, September 2022, “Top Ten Car Safety Features for Teens”)
The safest vehicles are large four-door sedans. SUVs or pickup trucks, while surrounding your teen with more metal, may be too big to handle. They’re more challenging to park, plus, they’re not all that fuel efficient. It’s best to avoid small cars and sports cars. Plus, when there are more seats, there could be more people in the vehicle, which means more distractions.
Vehicle safety ratings
Once you’ve identified a vehicle, check the safety rating of the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a 5-Star safety ratings program that provides information about the overall safety of the vehicle. Go to the NHTSA site and type in the vehicle – year, make, model – to see the rating.
The IIHS also offers an online website for checking two aspects of safety including crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation.
Peace of Mind for your vehicle purchase
Optional Service Contract Plus and Optional Accident Protection Plans
And when you purchase a quality, used vehicle at Car-Mart, you’ll receive a complimentary vehicle history report, a complete history of your vehicle. The report includes vehicle information such as accident history, title history, odometer check, vehicle use, and more.
In addition, our optional Service Contract Plus covers unexpected major mechanical repairs, as well as road assistance and oil changes! We also offer an optional Accident Protection Plan. In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen or considered a total loss due to an accident, we’ve got you covered. Your remaining debt will be canceled.
Bottom line, do your homework; and be an informed buyer. Know the safety and reliability of the vehicle you’re going to purchase for your child. We’ll help you make the best decision for you and your family. Here’s to safe journeys!
For more information about owning and driving a used vehicle, check out some of our other blogs:
- What is the Total Cost of Vehicle Ownership
- 5 Tips on Safe Driving
- Car-Mart’s 10 Basic Maintenance Tips
Get Pre-Qualified with a Co-Buyer
At America’s Car-Mart, we welcome co-buyers for your vehicle purchase. If you’re credit-challenged, a co-buyer can help you get approved and we’ll work hard to get you behind the wheel!
