After examining vehicular fatalities amongst teens between 2008 and 2012, researchers believe older cars are more dangerous than new models.
A first car is a big milestone for any teenager. While many opt for an older vehicle, it turns out novice drivers are better off with safety features of a newer model instead.
According to a study recently published online in the journal 'Injury Prevention,' nearly half of teenage drivers' deaths were in cars over a decade old.
Researchers examined data collected between 2008 and 2012 by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System that included information on both teen and middle-aged driver deaths.
During this period, 2,420 drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 died in auto accidents.
An astonishing 82 percent of the vehicular fatalities amongst this group occurred in cars that were at least six years old, while 48 percent of the deaths happened in cars 11 years and older.
Two important features missing from most of these cars are side airbags and electronic stability control, which helps drivers in loss-of-control accidents.
While most vehicles since the 1990’s are equipped with various airbags, electronic stability control is a recent addition and reportedly became a standard safety feature beginning in 2012.
According to the research, the size of the car also played a role in its safety, with larger automobiles providing better protection than smaller, lighter cars.
Unfortunately, teenagers are also less likely to wear seat belts, leaving them vulnerable to injury regardless of how old their car is.
Parents are advised to thoroughly research any potential car before purchasing it to ensure their new driver will be safe.
