|
Auto Club Names 2009's Safest Cars For Teens
By Anonymous — Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
 The Auto Club Many Southern California teens will return to school in the next few weeks, and some may hope to drive onto campus in a new vehicle. Because car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens nationwide and California, getting the right car for a novice driver is an important decision for parents. The Automobile Club of Southern California has developed a list of criteria and vehicles to assist parents and their teens. When asked by parents: “What is the safest car to get my new teen driver?” the Auto Club’s answer is: a mid-size car with a four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, Antilock Braking System (ABS) and high safety crash test scores. “A mid-size car is big enough to protect a novice driver in a crash, but small enough to be manageable for a novice driver,” said the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center Manager Steve Mazor. “The four-cylinder engine limits acceleration capabilities and generally provides better fuel economy. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive and allow the novice to focus on the road as well as steering, acceleration and braking. Electronic stability control helps prevent roll-overs.” The Auto Club’s Diamond Bar-based Automotive Research Center (ARC) developed a list of two groups of new cars that meet these criteria. Crash test scores are from the AAA/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication “Buying a Safer Car-2009” soon to be available at Auto Club offices or http://www.safercar.gov/ . Group 1: 5 stars on all crash tests (at least 4 stars on rollover) 4 cylinder automatic Acura Chevrolet Chevrolet Dodge Hyundai Kia Mazda Nissan Nissan Subaru Toyota Toyota Group 2: 5 stars on all tests except 4 stars for rear occupant side impact (at least 4 stars on rollover) 4 cylinder automatic unless otherwise specified. Make Chrysler Dodge Ford Kia Lincoln Mazda Mercury Subaru Subaru |
