Top Safety Features for Teen Drivers to Look For

Top 10

Best Vehicle Safety Features for Teen Drivers

The right safety features can be a lifesaver for teenage drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that teens, especially 16 and 17-year-olds, are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents due to a lack of driving experience and immaturity. While driving ability improves with age and experience, parents of teenage drivers can add a layer of protection by purchasing vehicles with the best safety features for their children.

When buying your teen’s first car, look for these safety features:

1Forward Collision Warning:

Alerts the driver when a head-on crash is
imminent. This alert can provide a crucial
wake-up call for a teen driver to activate
the brakes and avoid or reduce the
impact of a collision.

3Blind Spot Detection:

Scans the side and rear-end of the vehicle to detect
whether other vehicles or objects are located in hard-
to-see areas. This system may help a teen driver avoid
a side-impact collision, especially at night.

5Lane Departure Warning:

Alerts the driver by visual or audio warnings when the
vehicle is drifting into another lane. This system may
help a teen driver avoid a side-impact collision
or going off-road.

7Rearview Camera:

Uses a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle to
provide better visibility when backing up. This can help
a teen driver avoid backing into pedestrians, vehicles
and objects.

9Electronic Stability Control:

Monitors the vehicle to ensure it travels in the same
direction as the steering wheel and applies the brakes to
keep the vehicle on track before it veers off course. This
can help teens navigate in poor weather conditions and
at night.

2Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB):

Automatically triggers the brakes when a
potential collision is detected. This system,
sometimes referred to as Dynamic Brake
Support (DBS), also applies more force to the
brakes if sensors detect that the vehicle is not
slowing down enough to avoid an auto accident.

4Adaptive Cruise
Control:

Allows the driver to set a steady speed for the vehicle
while using motion sensors to ensure the vehicle
doesn’t move too close to other vehicles traveling
ahead. This system will automatically slow the vehicle
to maintain a safe following distance.

6Adaptive Headlights:

These lights automatically swivel with the
steering wheel rather than remaining stationary.
This provides the driver with greater visibility while
navigating turns and curves, especially at night.

8Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS):

Triggered if sensors detect the pressure inside a tire is
dangerously low. This system can help prevent accidents
caused by tire blowouts.

10Facial Recognition Software:

Monitors the driver’s awareness and issues alerts
when the system detects the driver not paying
attention to the roadway, for example, when the
driver is looking down at a cell phone.

1 Forward Collision Warning:

Alerts the driver when a head-on crash is imminent. This alert can provide a crucial wake-up call for a teen driver to activate the brakes and avoid or reduce the impact of a collision.

2 Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB):

Automatically triggers the brakes when a potential collision is detected. This system, sometimes referred to as Dynamic Brake Support (DBS), also applies more force to the brakes if sensors detect that the vehicle is not slowing down enough to avoid a car accident.

3 Blind Spot Detection:

Scans the side and rear-end of the vehicle to detect whether other vehicles or objects are located in hard-to-see areas. This system may help a teen driver avoid a side-impact collision, especially at night.

4 Adaptive Cruise Control:

Allows the driver to set a steady speed for the vehicle while using motion sensors to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move too close to other vehicles traveling ahead. This system will automatically slow the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance.

5 Lane Departure Warning:

Alerts the driver by visual or audio warnings when the vehicle is drifting into another lane. This system may help a teen driver avoid a side-impact collision or going off-road.

6 Adaptive Headlights:

These lights automatically swivel with the steering wheel rather than remaining stationary. This provides the driver with greater visibility while navigating turns and curves, especially at night.

7 Rearview Camera:

Uses a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle to provide better visibility when backing up. This can help a teen driver avoid backing into pedestrians, vehicles and objects.

8 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):

Triggered if sensors detect the pressure inside a tire is dangerously low. This system can help prevent accidents caused by tire blowouts.

9 Electronic Stability Control:

Monitors the vehicle to ensure it travels in the same direction as the steering wheel and applies the brakes to keep the vehicle on track before it veers off course. This can help teens navigate in poor weather conditions and at night.

10 Facial Recognition Software:

Monitors the driver’s awareness and issues alerts when the system detects the driver not paying attention to the roadway, for example, when the driver is looking down at a cell phone.

One way to monitor which cars have the best auto safety features is by checking vehicle reviews from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports. These two organizations have combined efforts to identify vehicles with the best safety features for teenage drivers, based on vehicle make, model, size, year and price.

Pay extra attention to the model and year, as manufacturers routinely make changes to improve vehicle safety. The list is regularly updated to help parents make educated decisions regarding the safety of their teenage children on the road.

Safety Features to Look For When Buying Your Teen's First Car