Loss ratios. Thats a very important phrase in the insurance industry. When refering to autos, it has to do with the frequency types of autos are involved in accidents and how severe the accidents are. The Highway Loss Data Institute (http://www.hldi.org/) is your first stop for all the details. Obviously one wants to be in a well built safe vehicle, but there is an insurance benefit. The lower the loss ratio of a model car, the lower the rate it has.
You were statistically a worse driver than your teenager is.
The good news is that accident injury and mortality rates have dropped considerably, well into the double digits, for teenage drivers. Much of this is attributed to awareness brought on through better education as well as improved safety features on automobiles that help prevent accidents and reduce injuries in case of accidents.
If its a choice between a teen male or female driving, women seem to be far better at not getting into harms way. Twice as good. Although young men have been catching up and improving their skills over the past couple decades.
If the money's there, an brand new Audi A6 is the car to put them in. It has been rated safest car on the road. It is amazing how strong aluminum is when used correctly.
Does that mean we were worse drivers way back when? As a generation more irresponsible and careless? That would be difficult to say, as the data is clouded by the technological advancements made. One likes to think that society as a whole is advancing, but a peek in a nearby mall the other day could make one think otherwise when spotting the local wildlife. I guess our parents said the same about our generation...And so it will be until the end of time.
