Passing down your old car to your teen could be a deadly mistake
American teenagers are at significantly higher risk of dying in car crashes if they drive older vehicles.
This is the conclusion of a study from Nationwide Children's Hospital which reveals that teens driving vehicles between 6–15 years old face a 19 percent greater risk of death in fatal crashes compared to those driving vehicles five-years-old and newer.
For teens in vehicles older than 15 years, the risk disparity rises to 31 percent.
Lead researcher Jingzhen Ginger Yang told Newsweek that parents and caregivers influence the vehicles their teens drive, which affects the driving safety of the 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," she said.
The researchers analyzed data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a national crash database covering the years 2016 to 2021.
They compared vehicles driven by teen drivers (ages 15–18) to those driven by middle-aged drivers (ages 31–55) involved in fatal crashes.
The findings were stark—teens were more likely to drive older vehicles and those lacking essential driver assistance technologies such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.
"Parents commonly pass their old vehicles to their teens who are still learning basic driving skills," said paper co-author Fangda Zhang
"While it is an exciting milestone for families with new drivers, this practice increases teens' vulnerability to vehicle malfunctions, making their driving less safe."
The study highlights that each driver assistance technology present in a vehicle is associated with a six percent reduction in the risk of driver death during a fatal crash.
Despite this, teens are less likely than middle-aged drivers to benefit from these life-saving features because they are often driving older, less equipped vehicles.
Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that teens should drive the safest vehicles available.
"Parents can refer to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for a list of affordable, safe vehicles for teens," Dr Yang said. "If a newer vehicle is not an option, more frequent maintenance should be encouraged to improve the vehicle's safety."
While the study did not identify the most effective technologies for teen drivers, Yang emphasized that newer vehicle technologies like crash avoidance, lane assistance, and teen-specific features can notably reduce crashes and injuries.
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Reference
Zhang, F., Rundus, C. R. M., Alshaikh, E., Peek-Asa, C., & Yang, J. (2025). Vehicle Age and Driver Assistance Technologies in Fatal Crashes Involving Teen and Middle-Aged Drivers. JAMA Network Open, 8(5).