Choice of teenagers' vehicles and views on vehicle safety: Survey of parents of novice teenage drivers

This study examines parental decisions about vehicles driven by teenagers and parental knowledge of vehicle safety. About 300 parents were interviewed during spring 2006 in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Rhode Island while teenagers took their first on-road driving tests. Fewer than half of parents surveyed said teenagers would be the primary drivers of the chosen vehicles. Parents most often cited safety, existing family vehicle, and reliability when explaining the choices for their teenagers' vehicles. About half of the vehicles intended for teenagers were small/mini/sports cars, pickups, or sport utility vehicles (SUVs) -- vehicles considered less safe for teenagers than midsize/large cars or minivans. A large majority of vehicles were 2001 models or earlier. Vehicles purchased in anticipation of adding a new driver to the family were more likely to be the sizes/types considered less safe than vehicles already owned. Few parents insisted on side airbags or electronic stability control, despite strong evidence of their safety benefits. Even when asked to identify ideal vehicles for their teenagers to drive, about half of parents identified less safe vehicle sizes/types. Most parents knew that midsize/large vehicles are safer than small vehicles, and at least half of parents said SUVs and pickups are not safe for teenage drivers, citing instability. The majority of parents understood some of the important criteria for choosing safe vehicles for their teenagers. However, parents actually selected many vehicles for teenagers that provide inferior crash protection. Vehicle safety varies substantially by vehicle size, type, and safety features. Many teenagers are driving inferior vehicles in terms of crashworthiness and crash avoidance.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2007.10.003
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V6F-4R4692G-5/2/d3013a336846e951523eeb68f762bf43
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier
• Authors:
  • Hellinga, Laurie A
  • McCartt, Anne T
  • Haire, Emily R
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 707-713
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashworthiness; Decision making; Novices; Parents; Surveys; Teenage drivers; Vehicle characteristics; Vehicle factors in crashes; Vehicle safety
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota; North Carolina; Rhode Island
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01084524
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 28 2008 8:08AM