Overview

• A JAMA Network Open study found teens driving vehicles 6–15 years old face a 19% higher risk of death in fatal crashes, while those in cars over 15 years old face a 31% higher risk compared to newer models.
• Each driver assistance technology, such as automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping assistance, reduces the risk of driver death in fatal crashes by 6%.
• Teens are more likely than middle-aged drivers to operate older vehicles lacking critical safety features, increasing their vulnerability in crashes.
• Parents often pass down older, less-equipped vehicles to teens, unintentionally compromising their safety during the riskiest phase of their driving lives.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Consumer Reports released their 2025 list of safe, affordable vehicles for teens, including 74 models under $10,000 and 22 new models with advanced safety technology.