Consumer Reports: Advanced auto technology can help keep young drivers safe

With roads riskier these days and safety technology so much better, Consumer Reports says parents should get their kids the newest, safest car the family can afford.

Car crashes have been identified as the top killer of teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19, so parents should make an educated decision before purchasing a car for their child.

"You don't want a car that's really fast," said Jen Stockburger, an auto expert for Consumer Reports. "That's just going to entice young drivers to get in trouble."

Stockburger would recommend cars like mid-size sedans or small SUVs instead of sports cars or other "distracting" vehicles like minivans, large SUVs or trucks because they can be too hard for inexperienced drivers to handle.

As safety technology in vehicles continues to improve, parents should take advantage of it when purchasing a car for their young driver.

Forward-collision warning is a feature worth paying for, according to Consumer Reports, because it alerts drivers about their surroundings, ranging from an obstacle on the roadway to another vehicle.

In addition, parents might want to consider a car with automatic emergency braking as it will apply the brakes without the driver pressing the pedal by sensing an imminent collision.