Stricter Laws for Newly Licensed Drivers

Teenage drivers have the highest accident rates of any other age group on the road. The combination of their inexperience, immaturity, and high risk-taking leads to thousands of accidents, injuries, and deaths each year. In an effort to combat this problem, some states are creating stricter driving laws for these young, newly licensed drivers.

Michigan, one of the latest states to toughen-up their driving laws for teens, will enact new constraints this March. Their restrictions will follow in the footsteps of several other states, such as Illinois, Connecticut, and New York, by imposing an earlier curfew and limiting the number of teen passengers they are allowed to have. New teen drivers will only be allowed to have one non-family related passenger under the age of 20 in the vehicle with them, unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another adult who is 21 or older, and has been approved by the teen’s parents. Young drivers will also be banned from driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. However, there are exceptions to these rules when the driver is traveling for work or school purposes.

The purpose of laws such as these is to remove the factors that often lead to accidents. The more teens that are present in a young driver’s car, the more likely that driver is to participate in risky driving behaviors, such as not wearing a seatbelt, playing loud music, speeding, and getting distracted. The curfew will be in place to get inexperienced drivers off the road during the most dangerous hours. During this time, it is dark, visibility is bad, and other high-risk drivers, such as those who are tired or drunk, are most likely to be present.

Although Michigan joins a small number of states enacting these restrictions, changes may soon be coming for teen drivers in other states if these laws are effective. And so far, it looks as though they are. According to Connecticut, after imposing tougher restrictions on new drivers the number of teens involved in fatal crashes was reduced by 62%, while in Illinois, the number of teen-driving deaths dropped from 146 to 71.

Fuel Efficiency Tops Car Buyers’ List of Concerns

Gone are the days when the number one priority for car buyers was style and dependability. These days, everyone’s main concern is fuel efficiency, and with the increasing cost of gas this comes as no surprise. This top concern for car buyers around the world is likely to increase demand for hybrid and electric cars. It should also push auto manufacturers to design more fuel efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and vans.

However, according to many top executives in the auto industry, the ability for consumers to afford electric and hybrid vehicles is low. Many consumers will not be able to do so without some sort of government subsidy. Despite this trend, the executives still say that their investment in this type of technology is very important. It will become necessary some day to have vehicles that are extremely fuel friendly.

Working together to develop new fuel technologies is the best way for these auto manufacturers to increase their share of hybrid and electric vehicles. Of all major auto companies, 68% have joined alliances and taken on joint ventures to research and develop new technology that will increase the fuel economy of vehicles.

Around the world, an increase in fuel efficiency is a concern that is not being ignored. Automakers are taking on this challenge in many different ways, but they are all looking to find better technology that will make all cars more fuel-friendly, including conventional vehicles. The U.S. government has also taken action by passing a law that states that by 2016, all fleets in the United States must get an EPA estimated 37.8 miles per gallon.

Driving Habits to Avoid

There are not many things in life more irritating than bad driving habits. We have all been on the road with irresponsible drivers, and some of us may be guilty of poor driving habits ourselves. However, driving recklessly or not paying attention often creates more negative effects than we realize. Not only can it lead to accidents and road rage, it can also be bad for the environment and causes extra wear and tear on your vehicle.

Here are five common driving behaviors that are not only annoying, but also dangerous and destructive.

1. Tailgating. Tailgating is by far one of the most annoying things one driver can do to another. There is a high risk of an accident if the other driver suddenly stops, and constantly switching from your gas to brakes guzzles gasoline. In fact, tailgating can reduce a vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 33%.

2. Using a cell phone. Over 5,000 people die every year in accidents involving a distracted driver. Waiting to call someone back or answer a text message will not only make the other vehicles around you happy, it could save your and their lives.

3. Being in the wrong lane. If you find yourself in the turn lane when you should be going straight, or vice versa, follow the lane and turn around later. Doing so will allow the people behind you, who are in the right lane, to get through the light, and is less dangerous and probably just as easy.

4. Hitting the brakes on the highway. Unless the traffic in front of you is quickly stopping or at a standstill, lay off the brake. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you so you can react to their changing speed without using the brakes. It will make other drivers happy, and help your gas mileage too.

5. Cutting other drivers off. Cutting across lanes of traffic is extremely dangerous, as it can easily lead to an accident and frustrates other drivers. Plan ahead so you know when you need to turn or get off the highway, and always use your blinker.

Toyota Offers 0% Financing on Select Models

February is a month for sweethearts, and Toyota is offering up their own sweet deal. For the whole month of February Toyota is offering 0% interest rate loans for up to 60 months on select vehicles as well as no money down lease incentives.

The 2011 Toyota Camry and 2011 Tundra can both be purchased with no interest financing for 60-months. A purchase of the Toyota Camry also includes $500 cash back. A 39-month lease can be signed with no down payment and $249 monthly payments. The lease incentive also comes with $500 cash back.

The 2011 Toyota Prius, 2011 Toyota Corolla and 2011 Highlander are all available for lease incentives with a 39-month lease. The Prius offers $189 monthly payments with $2,188 due at signing. The 2011 Corolla is a $149 monthly payment with $2,148 due at signing and the Toyota Highlander requires a $2,278 down payment for $279 monthly payments. These three models are also available for purchase with 0% financing for 39 months.

Find your new Toyota at CarLocate.com and you could be driving off the lot with a pretty sweet deal.

Top Super Bowl Car Ads of 2011

The Super Bowl is watched as much for its commercials as it is the football game, making it one of the largest and most expensive advertising platforms. Through the years, automakers have launched some of the biggest and most anticipated campaigns during the big game, and 2011 did not disappoint. In fact, the number one commercial on our list topped almost every other list of top ads from Sunday, whether they were voted on by companies, consumers, or other advertisers. And, unlike ours, their lists weren’t even car-specific.

1. Volkswagen “Darth Vader”
Everyone seemed to immediately fall in love with this commercial for the VW Passat, thanks to its perfect mix of a cute kid, good looking car, and a cool feature of the vehicle that not only ties the ad together, but makes the viewer want to know even more about the Passat.

2. Chevy Camaro “Miss Evelyn”
This Chevy Camaro ad gave a comical look at what most guys would consider the perfect car commercial. In fact, there is a good chance that before it even premiered; somewhere out there a group of guys watching the game described this ad exactly.

3. Volkswagen “Black Beetle”
This commercial caught people’s attention, because although it gave no indication of exactly what was being advertised until the end, it had viewers questioning if this could be the first peek at the much-anticipated, all new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

4. Audi “Release the Hounds”
Audi was very creative in their attempt to show how their vehicles defy the confines of traditional luxury and are more progressive than their competition, and it paid off.

5. Chrysler “Imported from Detroit”
This ad for the Chrysler 200 effectively uses Eminem, a popular rapper and proud Detroit native, to show off the city where most “American Made” vehicles are built and to kick off Chrysler’s creative new tagline, “Imported from Detroit.”

Myth or Fact: Your Car Needs to be Warmed Up on Cold Days?

It is a common belief that you need to warm up your car when it is really cold outside to avoid some sort of damage. No one is sure what sort of damage can be expected, but everyone seems to think that if you don’t warm up your car for a few minutes before you drive it, you will have problems. Besides, warming up your car before you have to drive means it will be warm on the inside too, so you won’t have to sit in the cold. However, this myth is exactly that: a myth. Failing to warm up your car before you get in it and drive away will not cause any harm to your car.

According to mechanics you do not need to idle your car “because of the efficiency of modern fuel injection.” The only reason to let a car idle is to get the oil circulating; but after 30 seconds that is done. Staring your car to warm it up before you get in does not work either; it will actually warm up more quickly if you are driving it. Below are three reasons you should not idle your car.

1. It costs money. Over a year of five minutes of daily idling estimates show that the operator of a V8 will waste 20 gallons of gas which will cost at least $60. Also, idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more money than restarting the car would.
2. It hurts your car. Idling your car for too long will actually hurt your car. An idling engine is forced to operate inefficiently degrading both its performance and mileage.
3. It is harmful to you and the environment. Five minutes of idling everyday for a year produces more than 440 pounds of carbon dioxide into the environment. Idling in your garage even with the door open can still be harmful to the driver and those in the house. An idling engine emits carbon monoxide and other noxious gases which can increase rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies.

Monitoring System Hopes to Make DUIs a Thing of the Past

2011 may seem to be all about electric cars, but another trend is slowly taking over. Vehicle safety has emerged as a hot topic recently, and whether we are discussing safety features that are currently available on new models or ones in the very beginning stages, it is clear where automakers are heading. The latest safety technology to be introduced is a system that will prevent people who are intoxicated from operating a vehicle.

This new technology would differ from the current alcohol ignition interlock systems, in that it works through in-car sensors, located in places such as the steering wheel and door locks. The sensors will analyze a driver’s breath and skin to determine their level of intoxication, and if a level above the legal limit is determined, the car will not start. Alcohol ignition interlock systems, which are most often used as part of a DUI conviction, require a driver to blow into a Breathalyzer before the car will start.

Despite the government’s tentative thumbs up of the monitoring system, it could take up to 10 years for the technology to be commercially available. Some people fear that if the device were to malfunction, it may prevent sober drivers from starting their vehicle and getting where they need to go. Therefore, according to David Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Administration, the system will not be used until it is determined to be “seamless, unobtrusive, and unfailingly accurate.” Even when the technology is cleared for commercial sale, it will most likely be an optional feature, and automakers will choose whether or not to include it on their vehicles.

Handling a Flat Tire

If you have ever had the unpleasant and inconvenient experience of a flat tire you know how much panic can set in in just a short period of time. Driving with a flat tire can be a very terrifying experience, but when it happens you have to stay calm and remain in control. Your safety is the most important factor when driving with a flat tire, not your schedule or any other concerns you may have. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you get a flat tire while driving.

1. At the first thump feeling, take control, keep a firm and steady grip on the steering wheel, and maintain a straight course. Concentrate on keeping or regaining control of your vehicle.
2. Don’t slam on the brakes. At the first sign of trouble, calmly ease off the accelerator to slow the vehicle and get over to the right side of the road.
3. Do not stop in the road. Put your hazards on and, if possible, pull into a parking lot. Otherwise, continue to slow down and carefully pull as far over as possible on the shoulder.
4. Once you have pulled over, put the car into park, set the parking brake, and then call for roadside assistance. While waiting do not stand beside or next to your vehicle.
5. If you are attempting to change the tire yourself, angle the car away from the road and traffic to ensure your safety.
6. To flag down a police officer or tow truck operator, raise your car’s hood and tie something white to your antenna or hang it out a window so they will know you need help.