The months between the end of May and the beginning of September are referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. During the summertime, more teens are on the roads facing more distractions than ever before. If you’re shopping around for a safe vehicle for your new teen driver, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety lists their top safety picks annually. They also have a modified list of used cars for teen drivers, since many of the national picks are out of the average teen’s price range. Before making any buying decisions, what are the most important safety features to consider?

Top Vehicle Safety Features

According to the IIHS and Consumer Reports surveys, the following features should be on the top of every parent’s list.

Crash Protectionteen driver blog

Generally speaking, SUVs offer better protection in a crash because of their larger size. However, it is important to guide your child through the transition from a sedan to a larger vehicle. If they learned how to drive in a small vehicle, handling an SUV is different.

Electronic Stability Control

ESC is a built-in vehicle technology that helps drivers avoid accidents. When trying to steer clear of an oncoming vehicle or obstruction, many drivers lose control by attempting an extreme maneuver with the wheel. ESC prevents a spinout by keeping your vehicle going in its intended direction. This is partly accomplished through automatic braking.

Fuel Economy

Fuel efficient cars not only help protect the environment, but save you money on gas. Everyone wants more mileage for their money, but this can be difficult when your car’s fuel economy is low. Luckily, some cars today have an estimated MPG of over 100!

Reliability

Your teen might think that a high-powered engine is more important than getting from point A to point B, but dependability is invaluable. Vehicles that experience few problems during their lifetime keep you safe and save you money on repairs.

Unfortunately, even in the safest vehicles, the most attentive teen drivers can be involved in a crash. Rather than face the insurance company alone, contact the experienced car accident lawyers at Trantolo & Trantolo to take on your claim.