Getting a driver’s license is an important milestone for teens, but they and their parents may have differing opinions when it comes to selecting the ideal car. Although “fun” and “stylish” may be key features priorities for teens, AAA Western and Central New York understands that most parents are concerned with safety. 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, resulting in thousands of fatalities and many more severe injuries each year. Concerned parents can help protect their teens, who are statistically the riskiest drivers on the road, by selecting a safe car. 

“A teen driver’s safety is a team effort,” said David Hodge, vice president of insurance at AAA WCNY. “While teens need to understand their responsibilities behind the wheel, parents should understand their roles in ensuring that teens are driving safe vehicles.” 

Teen Car Selection Tips

• Steer away from vehicles that encourage reckless driving. Sports cars – and other high-performance vehicles – may promote speeding and unsafe driving. 
• Pick a vehicle with the right safety features. Teens should drive vehicles that offer sufficient protection in case of a crash. New cars are likely to be equipped with the latest safety gear, but if you’re considering an older car, check for features such as antilock brakes, airbags and electronic stability control. 
• Don’t let your teen drive an unstable vehicle. Sport-utility vehicles, especially smaller ones, tend to be less stable than cars because of their higher centers of gravity. A car with a lower center of gravity has a better chance of safely handling an emergency situation.
• Before you buy, check the online safety ratings of the cars you are considering for your teen. 

My teen has a car—now what?

The next step is to make sure your teen is insured. To add them to your policy, simply call your AAA insurance agent and let them know you have a newly licensed teen driver. Insurance for teen drivers can be more expensive since young drivers have yet to establish a track record of safe driving. You can save money by adding them to your own policy instead of purchasing a separate one. You may even get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles!

To learn more about your coverage, cost and discount options, call (888)-671-7044 to speak to a local AAA insurance representative, visit AAA.com/Insurance or stop by your local AAA.