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The Citizen
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Parents open up about teen driving fears and first-car plans
THE Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is a key annual event on the KwaZulu-Natal school sports calendar. This year's event also offered an opportunity for important conversations off the field. As a proud sponsor, Halfway Ford used the event to connect with families about a topic that weighs heavily on many parents' minds: teen driving. Also read: Mkhize's luxury cars to go under the hammer Over the course of the festival, Halfway Ford spoke with parents and asked them to complete a questionnaire to gain insight into their concerns and expectations as their teens prepare to get behind the wheel. They also explored the key factors that influence parents' decision-making when it comes to choosing a vehicle for their children. 'Selling cars is only part of what we do,' said Chilton Penery, chief operating officer at Halfway Ford. 'We're part of our communities – and we wanted to better understand how we can support families during this major milestone in their children's lives.' Top Parental Concerns: Safety First The questionnaire results revealed that road safety and accidents (66%) was the biggest concern among parents. Other pressing worries included peer pressure and reckless driving (16%), the cost of vehicle insurance and maintenance (12%), and the availability of safe, affordable cars (6%). Timing, Safety, and Budget Drive Parents' First-Car Decisions When asked whether parents had plans of buying a car for their teen: 82% of parents said yes, but opinions differed on when – half indicated they planned to buy a car immediately when their child received their driver's licence, while the other half said they would only do so after a period of supervised driving 13% said their teen would need to share a family vehicle 5% said their child was expected to buy their own In terms of vehicle features that mattered most: Safety features topped the list at 31.5% Affordability followed closely at 29.5% Fuel efficiency was cited by 20% Brand reputation by 15% Resale value trailed at 3% When it came to budget: Nearly half (44%) of parents reported a price range of between R50 000 and R150 000 26% were willing to spend between R150 000 and R250 000 21% indicated a budget of between R250 000 and R350 000 3% of parents planned to spend between R350 000 and R500 000 6% of parents sat on either side of the budgeting spectrum – half (3%) indicated their price range would be under R500 000 while the other half said they would be spending more than R500 000 Mixed Feelings About Driver Education One of the standout findings was widespread concern about the quality of driver education in South Africa: Only 28% of parents believed driving schools adequately prepare teens 40% felt driver training was insufficient 32% were unsure Despite these concerns, 66% said they would consider enrolling their child in an advanced driving course for added safety, while 27% said they would consider it if the cost was affordable. What Parents Want: Better Training, Safety Tech, and Support When asked what would make them feel more comfortable with their teen taking to the roads, the majority pointed to improved driver education and training. Others cited the need for stricter laws for young drivers, vehicle safety technology such as speed monitoring, and reduced insurance premiums for responsible teen drivers. More importantly, the survey also highlighted a strong appetite for continued support. More than 80% of parents said they would be interested in receiving information and guidance on teen driving safety, car choices, and financing options. 'These insights have highlighted just how much support and guidance parents are looking for as their teenagers take their first steps toward independence behind the wheel. We are committed to using what we've learnt to develop practical resources that speak directly to these needs,' concluded Penery. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Car expert advises on having car checked before travelling
In 2024 South Africans travelled more than 2.3 billion kilometres over the Easter weekend. This surge in road usage resulted in a 28% increase in fatal road crashes compared to the previous year. Also read: Resilient South Africa marks 31 years of freedom One of the leading causes of road accidents during high-traffic periods is poorly maintained or unroadworthy vehicles. Vehicle faults like brake failures, worn-out tyres, faulty lights, and issues with indicators or wipers can pose serious risks, especially in poor weather or low-light conditions. 'Common vehicle faults such as brake failures and tyre bursts are often preventable,' said Chilton Penery, chief operating officer of Halfway Ford's Auto Division. 'Over the past two years, since the end of the Covid pandemic, we've seen steady growth in the number of vehicle owners booking safety checks – particularly at our Waterfall KZN dealership, which recorded a 65% increase ahead of this Easter holiday.' Considering that KZN recorded the highest number of fatal car accidents (22%) over Easter last year [3] among all provinces, this rise in vehicle owners taking responsibility for their safety is a welcome change. However, as Penery points out, a car safety check simply identifies gaps in a vehicle's roadworthiness – it is up to the owner to approve the recommended maintenance to increase their safety while travelling. 'Although we've seen a spike in bookings, only 40% of vehicle owners address all diagnostic issues, with approximately 60% opting to fix the essentials to save on costs. Many forgo maintenance they deem less important and postpone it for a later date – presumably when funds become available,' said Penery. At Halfway Ford, the three most common vehicle maintenance services carried out ahead of the April holidays were oil changes, light bulb replacements, and wiper blade changes. Maintenance that was mostly deferred were tyre replacements and brake pad replacements. Ahead of any holiday, Penery not only urges vehicle owners to schedule a service or safety check at a reputable workshop but also to actively put aside the funds to ensure that their cars are properly maintained to ensure a safe and stress-free journey. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
