The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests vehicles every year to determine their five-star safety rating. To get this rating, the NHTSA follows the SAFER guidelines, which measure side impact tests, accident avoidance features, "injuries" on the crash test dummies, and a broader overall evaluation. Parents need to keep these ratings in mind when purchasing a used car for a new driver.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDS), each day, seven teenagers of legal driving age die from injuries after a crash. When calculating the prevalence of automotive fatalities, the CDC found that drivers sixteen to nineteen years old were three times as likely to die in a collision than drivers twenty years old or older. In 2010, over 280,000 teens were injured and 2,700 teens were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
These statistics are part of the reason insurance rates for teenagers are so high. Having a safe car is one way parents can keep their teen from becoming a statistic while maintaining low insurance rates. These three used cars are affordable, have lower teen insurance premiums, and are highly regarded as safe vehicles.
Tips for Shopping
Airbags were not standard equipment in cars until the late 1980s. Avoid shopping for cars prior to the 1980 if you want your child protected by airbags.
There are hundreds of cars out there, but the following three also (likely) have a low enough odometer that you won't need to worry about your son or daughter breaking down on the highway anytime soon. They also contain important safety features designed to help a teen maintain control while driving.
The 2008 Ford Focus did very well when in the five-star safety ratings. With four-star ratings in frontal crashes -- for both passengers and the driver -- and five-star ratings for a driver-side crash, it's a good car for a teen to grow up with. For safety features, the car comes with driver and passenger airbags, plus front head curtain and front side airbags. It also has a traction control system. Kelley Blue Book suggests that a used focus is worth around $6,700, making it a relatively inexpensive choice as well.
A 2008 Honda Civic is another solid choice for your teenager, though it is a little more expensive, coming with a Kelley Blue Book value of just under $7,300. The NHTSA gave five-star ratings to the 2008 Civic for driver and passenger frontal crashes and passenger side crashes. Driver side crashes received a four-star rating. Safety features include driver and passenger airbags, a front head curtain, front side airbags, and rear head curtain airbags. The car also has traction control and a communication system to alert authorities in case of an emergency or crash.
Per Kelley Blue Book values, expect to pay under $8,000 for a used 2008 Toyota Corolla. The car should come with traction control and a communication system, though these auxiliary features may not be available in all models. Driver and passenger side airbags are standard, as are head airbags for the driver and all passengers. Both passenger and driver frontal crashes received a five-star rating. Driver and passenger side crashes received a four-star rating.
For the above prices, the estimated odometer reading of 74,000 miles was used. Prices will vary from region to region, so you may well find a better deal than these estimates.
This article was provide by Samantha Greenbaum, safety and health-conscious mother of two. If you have injuries, concerns or questions surrounding auto accidents and the liability and responsibility connected to them, Samantha suggests seeking legal assistance.
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