Teens & Older Cars: Crash Risk
- Teen drivers face a heightened risk of fatal car crashes, and a new study highlights the dangers of older vehicles. Research from Nationwide Children's Hospital indicates that driving...
- The research also revealed that each driver assistance technology present in a vehicle correlates with a 6% reduction in the risk of driver death during a wreck.
- Jingzhen Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH, led author of the study, emphasized the importance of vehicle safety for young drivers.
older cars dramatically increase the risk of fatal crashes for teen drivers. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that vehicles over five years old considerably heighten the chances of a fatal wreck. Shockingly, cars aged 6-15 years see a 19% greater risk of driver death, with those older than 15 years showing a staggering 31% increase. Driver assistance technologies demonstrably cut crash fatalities, yet teens frequently enough drive older models lacking these vital safety features. Jingzhen ginger Yang, lead author, urges families to prioritize vehicle safety. At News Directory 3, we understand the importance of this details. Discover what’s next for teen driving safety and how to protect young drivers.
Older Cars, Fewer Features Raise Teen Driver Safety Risks
Updated June 4, 2025
Teen drivers face a heightened risk of fatal car crashes, and a new study highlights the dangers of older vehicles. Research from Nationwide Children’s Hospital indicates that driving a vehicle more than 5 years old significantly increases the risk of death in a crash. The study, published in JAMA Network open, analyzed national fatal crash data from 2016 to 2021.
The research also revealed that each driver assistance technology present in a vehicle correlates with a 6% reduction in the risk of driver death during a wreck. Though, teen drivers are more likely to be behind the wheel of older vehicles with fewer of these safety features.
Jingzhen Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH, led author of the study, emphasized the importance of vehicle safety for young drivers. “Because every family wants their teen to arrive anywhere safely, teen driver fatalities are a serious public health concern,” Yang said. “Given teen drivers’ high crash rates compared to other age groups and their increasing involvement in fatal crashes, it is indeed crucial for teen drivers to operate the safest vehicles available.”
The study found that vehicles 6-15 years old had a 19% greater risk of driver death in fatal crashes,and vehicles older than 15 years had a 31% greater risk,both compared to vehicles 5 years old or newer,regardless of driver age.
Fangda Zhang, PhD, a research scientist at Nationwide Children’s and co-lead author, noted that parents often pass down older vehicles to their teens. “Parents commonly pass their old vehicles to their teens who are still learning basic driving skills,” Zhang said. “While it is an exciting milestone for families with new drivers, this practice increases teens’ vulnerability to vehicle malfunctions, making their driving less safe.”
What’s next
the study authors recommend that families prioritize safety features when choosing a car for their teen, opting for newer models with advanced driver assistance technologies. They also suggest that pediatricians and healthcare providers educate families about the benefits of these technologies and promote safe driving habits.