Buying for a teenager with safety in mind? Pick the Hyundai Sonata!

I came across a study by the Governors Highway Safety Associations (GHSA) that stated teen traffic deaths are on the rise again. I thought that today I would write about the safety advantages the 2013 Hyundai Sonata has to offer your new driver. Of course you have the basic safety rules that should always be followed:

• Always fasten your seatbelt. No exceptions. 
• No phone calls or texting while in the car. 
• Recommend not driving at night or during inclement weather. 
• With a teenager driving, always limit the number of passengers. No distractions. 

Kentucky, my home state,  has taken it a step further to help insure safety with teenage drivers.

• At 16, teenagers can apply for a learner's permit. Once obtained, the permit  limits the driver to only drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older sitting in the front seat. Teenagers are required at least 60 hours of driving with at least 10 hours at night (with a parent or guardian). 
• At 16 1/2 with at least 180 days of driving and completed the 60 hours of practice driving, they can apply for the "intermediate license". With the intermediate license, teenagers can drive alone with restrictions. No driving is allowed between midnight and 6 am. They are also not allowed to drive with more than one non-family member under the age 18 (unless an adult with a valid license is seated next to them). If a teenage with the intermediate license is convicted of a moving violation, they must restart the 180-day learners permit holding period. 
• At 17 your teenager is eligible for a full unrestricted license as long as they've held the intermediate license for at least six months and taken a drivers education course. Without the drivers education course, teenagers are limited until they are 18 to obtain a full unrestricted drivers license.

I think Kentucky (and others states) have done a great job to try and improve teenager safety while driving.

So it's time to pick out a vehicle. Maybe I'm bias, but the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is a great choice! I'll explain why and maybe you'll see why I'm bias. The 2012 (when test was done) Hyundai Sonata received a 2012 Top Safety Pick award the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). With an overall safety rating of 5 Stars, the Sonata should be number one on your list! Here's a list of safety features to consider when your teenager is driving. Source: Hyundai USA

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): NHTSA analysis estimates that passenger cars equipped with ESC may experience 35% fewer single-vehicle crashes, and 30% fewer single-vehicle fatalities*. ESC sensors measure the difference between a driver's intended path—when a turn is less or more than intended—and applies appropriate braking force to individual wheels to help regain control.⁵ ESC also includes Traction Control System (TCS), which reduces wheelspin when accelerating.^{4 Disclaimer}
• Traction Control System (TCS): By reducing wheelspin in various adverse traction conditions, including inclement weather, the Traction Control System helps give more stable and predictable acceleration characteristics for a more confident, controlled driving experience.
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): Emergency braking maneuvers can cause a vehicle's wheels to lock up and skid, resulting in a loss of steering control exactly when you need it most. ABS helps prevent the possibility of wheel lockup under hard braking, and rapidly pulses the brakes to help you retain steering control as you come to a stop.
• Brake Assist System: In emergency braking situations, many drivers may not apply sufficient braking force to achieve the shortest possible stopping distance. The Brake Assist system helps detect emergency braking and ensures the maximum braking force is immediately applied to minimize stopping distances.

On top of all that, Hyundai offers Blue Link (Standard Feature but requires a subscription) to help put your mind at ease. Blue Link consist of three different packages. Assurance, Essentials and Guidance.  Here's a rundown of what Blue Link can do for you and your teenage driver. Source: Hyundai USA

Assurance: Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance and Monthly Vehicle Report. 

Essentials Package: Smart phone application that allows you to Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Vehicle Start (with push button only), Remote Horn & Lights, Car Finder, Geo-Fence, Speed Alert & Curfew Alert (Big Ones and I'll talk about it below), Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Web Diagnostic, Voice Text Messaging and more! 

Guidance Package: Turn-by-turn Navigation, POI Search, Traffic, Gas station locations and prices, Eco-Coach, Restaurant Ratings and Weather. 

The big boys regarding safety would be Geo-Fence, Speed Alert and Curfew Alert. Here's what's nice about that! Blue Link can call or text you alerts based on your settings!

• Geo-Fence: Monitor your vehicle's movement in and out of a specified region. 
• Speed Alert: If your vehicle exceeds a specified speed, you'll be alerted. 
• Curfew Alert: Set a time limit for your vehicle and receive an alert if it operates beyond that time. 

Very nice safety features Hyundai offers parents for their young teenage drivers! Stop by at Glenn Hyundai and see me for a full explanation of what Hyundai and Blue Link has to offer you! Feel free to email me any questions or concerns you may have! 

As always, Peace! 

Zach