It’s critical to choose a vehicle with features that can help prevent crashes and minimize injuries. Your teen may be thinking “sporty,” but you should think twice about buying a car that could tempt a teen to speed or drive recklessly. A midsize sedan is a better choice than a van or SUV because such “top-heavy” vehicles are more susceptible to rolling over in a crash. Consider a late-model vehicle equipped with modern safety features such as:

• Antilock braking system, or ABS. Helps drivers maintain vehicle stability and steering control during hard braking.
  
  
• Daytime running lights. Make vehicles more visible to other drivers.
  
  
• Electronic stability control, or ESC. Works to improve vehicle control on slick roads or at high speeds. This feature has been shown to reduce single-vehicle rollover crashes involving cars by 70 percent and other vehicle models by 88 percent, according to IIHS.
  
  
• Airbags. Frontal airbags work in conjunction with seat belts to minimize crash-related injuries. Found in many newer models, side-impact airbags reduce injury risk in side collisions and have been shown to reduce driver fatality risk by 37 percent in cars and 52 percent in SUVs.
  
  
• Adjustable/lockable head restraints. Provide head and neck protection during a crash. Adjusted properly, such restraints offer maximum protection against whiplash.

Ask your AAA office for a copy of Buying a Safer Car, which provides crash-test ratings for a wide range of vehicles. For more information, access safercar.gov.

You also should ensure the vehicle includes a user manual and emergency kit. The manual covers operation, maintenance, precautions and safety tips. Encourage your teen to read it and become familiar with the car he or she will be driving. It’s also a good idea to discuss what to do in an emergency. AAA offers a free brochure on the topic titled The AAA Guide to Trouble-Free Travel.

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