Teenagers are the type of drivers who often drive the most unsafe cars, either because they are old, small models and because they lack a good protection system against traffic accidents. The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one of the most respected organizations in the United States for its work to increase safety on the roads, released a list of the most appropriate and safe vehicles for young drivers.

The IIHS has given four important recommendations to keep in mind when buying a car:

1. Teens should not use vehicles with too much power. Powerful engines can tempt young people to break speed limits.

2. Large and heavy vehicles offer greater protection in the event of an accident. The list excludes small cars or mini-cars; It also doesn’t take into account small SUVs, because the weight is similar to that of a small car.

3. They must have electronic stability control. This accessory helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle while cornering on slippery roads.

4. Vehicles must have the best possible safety ratings. Units with good marks on IIHS tests or four to five stars on NHTSA tests should be considered over others because they provide safety for teens.

The list is divided into two segments depending on how accessible the vehicles can be, with prices starting at $5,000 and going up to $20,000. But the IIHS warned that it is very difficult to find a safe vehicle for a teenager for a cost less than $5,000. Among the vehicles rated best choice for teens, in the most expensive segment include the 2012 Toyota Prius v or later, the 2012 Honda CR-V or later, the 60 Volvo XC2010 or later, the 2011 Buick Enclave or later and the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country or later.

The best options that stand out in the top positions of the cheapest category are indicated: the Volvo S80 2007 or later, the Volkswagen Jetta 2009 or later, the Honda Element 2007 or later, the Volvo XC90 2005 or later, the Chevrolet Traverse 2011 or later and the Volkswagen Routan 2012.

Finally, among the vehicles proposed as a good choice, regardless of their price, are the Acura RL 2005 or later, the Subaru Legacy 2009, the Nissan Rogue 2008 or later, the Mazda CX-9 2007 or later and the Volkswagen Routan 2009-2011.

Getting a driver’s license is a very exciting experience for teenagers. Imagine how nice it would be not to have to rely on a person to drive you to the mall or not to have to wait for your parents to pick you up after playing sports. Once you get your hands on your California driver’s license, those moments of discomfort will be a thing of the past, so take note of the following teen driving laws.

Many states, including California, have adopted a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program during which teens must meet certain goals before obtaining a teen driver’s license. Many of these goals relate to age and experience and are designed to minimize the risks associated with novice drivers; It’s like a set of rules for driving teenagers.

It’s important to remember that education for new drivers is a requirement for all California teens between the ages of 15 and 17.

If a teenager has reached the age of 17, they can apply for their permit without having completed the first driver education course, but it is strongly recommended to take and pass the driver education program so that they have a better preparation to drive correctly on the road.

The first step to obtaining a driver’s license is to get a temporary permit.

Enroll in a driver education course

Drivers under 17 years of age must have completed the driver education course before obtaining a provisional permit.

The course must include at least 25 hours of instruction, must be taught at a public or private high school, or at a school of education that is licensed by the state.

California allows teens to take the driver education course in a traditional classroom, however they can also do it online. The predilection for taking online driving school courses has increased dramatically in recent years.

Pass the DMV Written Test

Once you’ve completed the California driver education course and honed your skills with a practice test, it’s time to head to the DMV to take your written test.

Here’s what you need to bring:

1. An original DL 44 form duly completed (you must personally search for this form at the California DMV because it cannot be downloaded online).

2. Carry identification that has your full name, age and social security number.

3. Certificates of completion of California driver education course and driving training.

4. Don’t forget to place your parent’s or a legal guardian’s signature on the documents.

This test consists of a series of written questions about traffic laws and signs, and California’s carefully handled driving rules.

The contents of the test are extracted from the material found in the CA DMV manual.

The written exam is composed of 46 questions.

To pass this exam you must have at least 38 correct answers and you will have three (3) chances to pass it. If you fail the test, DMV requires that you must wait seven (7) days before taking the exam again.

Once you pass your written exam and pay $33 in fees, you will get your provisional permit.

The $33 fee covers a total of three (3) exams in a 12-month period and also serves to pay for your provisional learner’s permit and driver’s license.

However, if you do not meet all the requirements in a period of 12 months, the application will be considered void and you will have to repeat all the steps mentioned above.

After you have obtained your provisional permit for a minimum of six (6) months (and you are 16 years of age) and have completed your requirement of 50 hours behind the wheel (there are many defensive and useful driving courses in California, we recommend you seriously consider taking one). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the leading cause of death for 16- to 20-year-olds is car accidents.

Statistics related to accidents in adolescents

Consider the following statistics involving safe driving and talk about your teens before they decide to sit behind the wheel of a car:

1. The largest number of teen injury accidents are due to car accidents.

Teens sometimes prefer not to wear seat belts more than any other age group.

When teens drive after drinking alcohol, they are more likely than adults to crash, even when they have drunk less alcohol than adults.

Teenagers also cause an alarming number of deaths.

Why are teen drivers more at risk than other drivers?

Here are two of the reasons why teen drivers are at higher risk for car accidents that end in injury or death:

1. Lack of driving experience: Lack of experience means that the teen driver is less able to detect and respond to traffic hazards and has less control over the vehicle.

Dangerous behavior of adolescents: Adolescents tend to be more risky, since they lack emotional control and are carried away by their impulses, reacting to stimuli exerted by stress and social pressure from peers.

In addition, some tend to experiment with drugs and alcohol recreationally can impair the teen’s ability to drive. Teen drivers have a bad habit of not wearing seat belts, which increases the risk of injury during an accident.

Another factor that increases the risk of teen drivers is driving at night.

Driving at night is harder for everyone, especially inexperienced drivers. However, teens typically drive much more at night, which increases the risk of a fatal car accident, compared to daytime driving.

Tips Parents Should Instill in Their Children to Drive Safely

The AAP has provided the following recommendations for teens to drive more safely and provide a good education for teen drivers:

Emphasize the importance of driving safely, including the fact that teens need to develop driving skills with supervised practice.

As a parent and adult, set a good example when driving.

Set limits, such as limiting the number of passengers and/or restricting the time you can drive at night.

Impose penalties for irresponsible driving behavior.

Make sure the vehicle’s safety devices are in top condition.

Support legislative initiatives aimed at reducing car accidents among teen drivers, such as graduated licensing systems and stricter minimum driving age laws.

Speeding is still a danger factor, even when wearing seat belts.

Avoid driving late at night. Your driving skills and reflexes are developing during the first few months of driving.

Never drink alcohol and drive at the same time. Drinking alcohol reduces reflexes and impairs judgment.

No matter what type of injury you have suffered, Attorney Contigo can help. Our attorneys and their team have decades of combined experience representing accident victims. The combination of such experience plus devotion to the needs of our clients and perseverance in obtaining maximum results for our clients has resulted in numerous million-dollar settlements.