It is that time of your teenagers’ lives. They are taking driver’s education courses to ultimately get behind the wheel of a car. They beg and plead for you to give them a new car on their 16th birthday. You continue to hear the word Jeep. So now the questions begin. Do you go with new or used? How much can you spend? But the ultimate question is, are Jeeps safe?
Jeeps are cool. There is no doubt. In March 2019, close to 22,000 Jeep Wranglers left dealership lots. Teenagers then slide behind the wheel dreaming of freedom, not to mention the adventure of off-roading and mudding. But before you buy that Jeep, look at its safety. Inexperienced drivers and the environment can cause the Jeep to have a rollover.
What is a rollover?
A rollover accident can happen to any vehicle. When a driver loses control, the vehicle can flip on its side or roof. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as SUVs and trucks are more susceptible. A high percentage of rollovers involve a single–vehicle. Causes of these types of accidents include:
- Tripping: when a vehicle hits an object such as a curb or pothole, lifting the vehicle and causing it to turn over
- Untripped rollovers: accidents which happen during high-speed collisions
- Tire blowouts
- Bad weather
What are the best safety precautions?
No matter the intended use of the Jeep, whether it is driving on the road or driving off-road, the top safety precautions include both the vehicle and the person behind the wheel.
- Roll cage – A full cage comes standard in all Jeeps. Older models may only have roll bars.
- Seat belts – Just like with roll cages, full seat belts were not standard in older models.
- Learning the Jeep – Is it manual or automatic? Is it 2–wheel or 4-wheel drive? A 2-wheel drive Jeep is not an off-road vehicle.
A car is only as safe as the person who drives it. But as long as your teenager understands the safety precautions of driving this vehicle, a rollover may be less likely to happen.
