A new study from the Highway Loss Data Institute has found that crash avoidance features in automobiles seems to benefit young drivers more than others.
In separate studies of Honda, Kia and Subaru vehicles, the Institute found that crash avoidance systems provide larger reductions in the frequency of collision and property damage liability (PDL) claims for drivers under 25 years old, than they do for older drivers.
“Collision coverage insures against crash-related damage to the insured driver’s own vehicle when the insured driver is at fault. Property damage liability coverage insures against damage insured drivers cause to other vehicles and property,” the study said. “Under both coverages, claim frequencies generally dropped more for drivers under age 25 than for the 25-64 and 65+ age groups. The exception was for collision claim frequency with the Honda crash avoidance features, which had about the same benefit for the youngest drivers and drivers ages 25-64.”
The studies compare vehicles with the manufacturer’s crash avoidance packages against identical unequipped models.
While each manufacturer’s crash avoidance systems are different, and different features are bundled differently depending on the brand, all three of the bundles studied included lane departure warnings and forward collision warnings. Kia’s Drive Wise, and Subaru’s EyeSight, also included automatic emergency braking.
Research has demonstrated that these technologies can help prevent front-to-rear and run-off-road crashes — crashes more common in younger drivers. The study found that the Subaru and Kia packages were association with larger reductions in claim frequencies than Honda’s collision avoidance technologies, but the trend for younger drivers was similar in all three systems.