Many young people can't wait to learn how to drive and get behind the wheel of their first car. However, a new study shows that the first vehicles motorists have are typically not as safe as they should be.
According to a recent poll from PEMCO Insurance, about one-third of drivers said their first car was more than 10 years old when they started driving it. Although these vehicles often have gone through auto repair and regular maintenance to ensure they are capable of handling the roads, they usually lack new safety features that can help in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, most of the first vehicles used by young drivers tend to be smaller sedans or compact cars. These options may have better mileage and could cost less to fuel, but they can be subjected to more intense damage in accidents than larger cars or SUVs, PEMCO Insurance reported.
"While older cars are often more affordable for parents and teens, our poll confirms the trend we suspected - parents opt for older and sometimes smaller cars for their teens when a newer car would be a safer option," said PEMCO spokesperson Jon Osterberg.
Driving an older car doesn't have to be a safety problem. Young drivers and their families can take the vehicles in to an auto repair franchise for work and upgrades, enhancing safety features and ensuring all aspects of the car are functioning at a high level.