New Study Links Teenage Driver Deaths to Old Vehicles

Most parents choose affordable, older model cars for their teenagers to drive. A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, however, suggests that parents may want to purchase newer cars to keep their children safe.

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The study examined data from 2008 through 2012, and focused on teens killed in accidents who were between 15 and 17 years old.

Of these drivers, 82% were driving vehicles that were at least 6 years old, while 48% were driving vehicles more than 11 years old.

Older vehicles lack many of the more modern safety features which can be especially useful to young drivers. For example, electronic stability control and side air bags are now standard features in late-model cars. However, these features are not often found in older vehicles.

Teens have a higher rate of accidents than adults or older young people. Their lack of experience driving often affects their decision making skills, and they are much more likely to be injured while driving than any other age group.

When you are purchasing a vehicle for your teenager, keep in mind that he or she is vulnerable to traffic accidents. Keeping your child safe may be worth spending extra money on a newer car with important safety features that other vehicles lack.