10 Safe New Vehicles for Teens
6 Dec 2012The time is right to get a good deal on a 2012 vehicle, before the 2013 models flood the showrooms. And a new study may be able to help, particularly if you’re a parent looking for a new car for your teenager.
Conducted by the Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a new study has examined 2012 vehicles for teen, students, and new drivers safety. The study used data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSA) as well as safety features from these vehicles. The KBB released the top 10 safest vehicles for teens following the results of the study. Included in the list are the Scion tC, Honda Civic, and Kia Soul.
According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 35% of deaths for teens and young adults between 15 and 20 years old are due to motor vehicle accidents. Many of these are from being distracted by the radio or cell phones, as well as not wearing their seat belts, drinking and driving, driving while drowsy, other car passengers, and nighttime driving. This is just one of the many statistics pointing to the dangers of teen driving and why finding a safe vehicle is of the utmost importance to parents.
The following is a list of the 10 safest vehicles for teen drivers according to the study, all of which are 2012 models and under $16,000.
- Hyundai Elantra – The 2012 Hyundai Elantra is a compact car with roomy interior and a 5-star safety rating.
- Ford Focus – Hands-free communication features including voice-recognition software to eliminate texting while driving.
- Chevrolet Sonic – 5-star safety rating, good gas mileage, and more airbags than a Mercedes S-Class.
- Volkswagen Jetta – Compact and stylish car with roomy interior and plenty of space for cargo.
- Honda Civic – A-plus grade safety features approved by the IIHS and NHTSA.
- Scion tC – Anti-lock brakes, brake assist, brake-force distribution, 8 airbags, and smart stop technology.
- Kia Optima – Brake assist, 6 airbags, vehicle stability management package.
- Subaru Impreza – Safety features include all-wheel drive which keeps teens from losing control and their literal grip, along with 7 airbags and a re-enforced frame.
- Kia Soul – The 2012 Kia Soul is fit with a wealth of electronic safety systems.
- Honda Fit – Fuel-efficient engine, airbags, outward visibility, and vehicle stability assist.
Aside from helping teens get one of the safest vehicles available to them, GPS tracking technology for teens can also be used to reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents. While in the past, GPS was primarily used for navigational purposes, the newest GPS technology can be used for so much more. Helping young adults be safer drivers and monitoring their driving habits is one of the most beneficial uses.
Among the many tools offered by GPS trackers in a teen’s vehicle, parents can monitor their teen’s driving habits and see real-time data showing where they are driving and located at all times. Parents can also set a destination on the GPS tracking device that gives boundaries for as far and wide the teen is allowed to drive. Once the teenager has reached that set destination, an alert is given to the parent. Speed limits can also be set, so both the teen and parents get an alert when they go over the speed limit.
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