Latest news with #JingzhenGingerYang
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
It's a deadly decision for parents to pass down their cars to teens, study warns
Hand-me-down wheels or a deathtrap on wheels? Passing down vehicles to teen drivers could be a recipe for disaster, according to a new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital. Researchers found that teens driving cars 6-15 years old face a 19% higher risk of death in a fatal crash than those driving vehicles five years old or newer. And if the car is over 15 years old, the risk jumps to a staggering 31%. '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,' lead researcher Jingzhen Ginger Yang told Newsweek. 3 Hand-me-down cars or ticking time bombs? Giving teens older vehicles could spell danger, a new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital warns. Giddrid – According to the study, teens are more likely to drive older cars that lack essential driver-assistance tech like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring. Each of these features is associated with a 6% reduction in driver death risk during a fatal crash, the study found. 'Parents commonly pass their old vehicles to their teens who are still learning basic driving skills,' study co-author Fangda Zhang told the outlet. 3 Teens are more likely to drive older cars that lack essential driver-assistance tech like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'While it is an exciting milestone for families with new drivers, this practice increases teens' vulnerability to vehicle malfunctions, making their driving less safe.' To curb the carnage, Yang recommends prioritizing newer vehicles with advanced safety tech and regular maintenance if a newer car isn't an option. But even when Gen Z drivers get behind the wheel of a newer vehicle, they're still not exactly model motorists. 3 But even when Gen Z drivers get behind the wheel of a newer vehicle, they're still not exactly model motorists. Antonioguillem – In a survey of 2,000 drivers conducted by Talker Research for Distracted Driving Awareness Month, 54% of Gen Z respondents admitted to eating while driving in the past year, compared to 53% of millennials and just 32% of baby boomers — which can be distracting when behind the wheel. And it's not just drive-thru munchies — 32% of Gen Z said they'd driven while tired, 15% had a heated argument with a passenger while behind the wheel, and 13% let a pet sit on their lap while driving. The survey, commissioned by digital insurance company Lemonade, also found that only 30% of Gen Z believe their peers are safer drivers than other age groups. That's a far cry from 60% of Gen X and 63% of baby boomers who gave their own generation the same vote of confidence.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Passing Down Your Old Car to Your Teen Could Be a Deadly Mistake
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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. Teenage girl driver in glasses sitting behind wheel of car. Teenage girl driver in glasses sitting behind wheel of car. Valeriy_G "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. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about stars? Let us know via science@ 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).
