09 May Teens Should Drive Newer Cars with Most Safety Features to Decrease Fatal Accidents

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Jingzhen Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy
Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine
with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Epidemiolog
in The Ohio State University College of Public Health

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Newer vehicles and driver assistance technologies show promise in reducing crashes and injury severities.

Our study found that driving vehicles 6-15 years old had a 19% greater risk of driver death in fatal crashes, and driving vehicles older than 15 years had a 31% greater risk, both compared to driving vehicles 5 years old or newer, regardless of driver age. Additionally, each driver assistance technology already present in vehicles was associated with a 6% reduction in the risk of driver death in fatal crashes.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response:  The study found that teen drivers (15-18 years) were more likely than middle-aged drivers (31-55 years) to drive vehicles older than 15 years and vehicles with fewer driver assistance technologies at the time of fatal crashes. Older vehicles and vehicles with fewer driver assistance technologies were associated with a higher risk of death for drivers involved in fatal crashes, regardless of driver age.

MedicalResearch.com: What can be done to mitigate the increased risks in teens? What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Because parents and caregivers often control what vehicles their teens drive, their choices significantly impact the driving safety of their teens and other road users. Families should be advised to prioritize safety features when choosing the first car for teens, ensuring it is newer and safer, given the increased involvement of teen drivers in motor vehicle crashes and motor vehicle crash-related fatalities.

Based on the study findings, we recommend:

• Vehicle Safety: Teens should drive the safest vehicles available.
  • Pediatricians and other health care providers should advise parents to prioritize safety features when choosing the first car for their teens and avoid vehicles older than 15 years, especially during the initial months of unsupervised driving, which is the highest crash risk period for teen drivers.
  • Parents can refer to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for a list of affordable, safe vehicles for teens. If a newer vehicle is not an option, more frequent maintenance should be encouraged to improve the vehicle’s safety.
• Newer Technologies: Pediatricians and other health care providers should educate families about the benefits of newer vehicle technologies, such as crash avoidance features, lane assistance technology, and teen-specific technologies, which can significantly reduce crashes and related injuries. Families should choose vehicles with more driver assistance technologies for teens whenever possible.
• Safe Driving Habits: Pediatricians and other health care providers should address other aspects of teen driving safety beyond vehicle selection. They should educate parents and teens about the danger of risky driving behaviors and promote safe driving habits, such as seat belt use, safe nighttime driving, limiting teen passengers, avoiding distractions and following state Graduated Driver Licensing requirements. 

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?

Response: Further efforts from parents, health care practitioners, and safety professionals are needed to ensure the driving safety of all road users, and future research can determine the effectiveness of these efforts. 

I have no disclosures.

Citation:

Zhang F, Rundus CRM, Alshaikh E, Peek-Asa C, Yang J. Vehicle Age and Driver Assistance Technologies in Fatal Crashes Involving Teen and Middle-Aged Drivers. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e258942. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.8942

More information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Teen Drivers: Get the Facts. Updated 2024. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/transportation-safety/teen-drivers/facts.html

• Simons-Morton B, Lerner N, Singer J. The observed effects of teenage passengers on the risky driving behavior of teenage drivers. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 2005;37(6):973-982. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2005.04.014

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Last Updated on May 9, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD