automobile

Are teens really the worst drivers out there? Is texting the main reason for car accidents, or is it driving under the influence? Here are some interesting statistics about life on the road.
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A little bit goes a long way, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These are common sayings that certainly pertain to auto maintenance. For most people, their automobile is likely one of their biggest investments and also one of the things they depend on most. Here are some easy things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle and minimize future repairs.
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While a Tesla might seem out of reach for many of us, the electric vehicle (EV) market has evolved quite a bit since Elon Musk launched that iconic brand in 2003. In fact, the company actually helped to revolutionize the EV industry, first and foremost by making the vehicles more accepted by the masses. Musk also showed the public that EVs are not just slow-moving clunky cars, but that they can be sporty, stylish, and fast.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says that by following certain guidelines, an average driver can improve their fuel economy by around 10 percent. That might not seem like a big difference, but over time – and as road-trip season approaches – it can have a big effect on your wallet.
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Road trips always seem like a great idea, but when there are kids in tow, it's not always as free-wheeling as one may have imagined. There's likely to be fidgeting, potty breaks, and are-we-there-yets, punctuated by the occasional, but often brief, nap-induced silence. But, it needn't be so. While every road trip involves an inevitable speed bump or two, here are a few suggestions for a smooth ride to keep smiles and sanity intact.
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No matter the app or online reservation platform, renting a car can often be a headache. It's rarely clear which add-ons are necessary, costs range widely between rental companies, and what type of insurance you need. Here are some tips for navigating the rental car market.
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New parents have their hands full. While the nine months leading up to the birth of a child afford plenty of time to research the best gear and make necessary preparations, the list of concerns for that fragile bundle of joy can be intimidating. And selecting the right car seat is one of the most challenging. Between reviews, recalls, budgets, and difficult-to-understand instructions, the world of car seat shopping is not for the faint of heart. But it needn't be so complicated: once you know the lingo and your needs, it's just a matter of finding the right fit for your vehicle and family.
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Roadside breakdowns can be more than a mere inconvenience, emergencies of this nature, if not prepared for and handled correctly, can be dangerous for all involved, including other drivers. Following a few basic steps can ensure that you and your vehicle make it through the breakdown as easily and safely as possible.
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After watching gas prices skyrocket, savvy buyers in North Carolina are thinking twice about big purchases like vacations, automobiles, and homes. While speculation seems to be vacillating between optimistic and decidedly less than, consumers are left with questions and not many answers. Does it make more sense to drain your savings to pay for a new vehicle or to finance with any number of loan options?
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Distracted driving is defined as engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from driving: It can be considered manual, when you move your hands from the wheel; visual, when you focus your eyes away from the road; cognitive, when your mind wanders to other tasks; or any combination of the three. Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world's largest telematics provider, just released its 2022 U.S. Distracted Driving Report, and the results are staggering, with distracted driving levels at their highest point since the pandemic's onset. "Over the past two years, distracted driving has been like a pandemic within a pandemic, increasing at alarming rates and changing drivers' behaviors as the pandemic wears on. As more drivers hit the nation's roads, this intensified distraction will put even more people at risk," says Ryan McMahon, vice president of strategy at CMT.
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How old is too old to drive? It's not necessarily an easy question to answer. Depending on physical health, skill, vision, and even location, elderly drivers can be capable of safely and predictably handling a vehicle well into their seventies and even eighties. And, as baby boomers age further into their golden years, an increasing percentage of drivers will find themselves in that bracket. In fact, the Federal Highway Commission's 2016 data noted a record 41.7 million drivers over the age of 65. That's nearly one in five of the licensed population, an increase of 15 million over 20 years ago. By 2020, drivers aged 75 and older numbered more than 17 million. And, by 2030, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one out of every four drivers will be an older adult.
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Choosing a new car is an exciting but potentially stressful endeavor. With so many options, plus some limiting factors such as budget and availability, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are some of the top factors to consider when you're ready to purchase your next vehicle.
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As youngsters, the more serious-minded among us were vigilant about making the Scout motto "Be Prepared" a reality. Now with the latest round of fires, earthquakes and hurricanes, the old adage is more relevant than ever. Even in North Carolina, we all have the potential to encounter the occasional unpredicted mishap. But few events can be as unpredictable, or devastating, as natural disasters: hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tsunamis, severe storms, tornadoes, and landslides, many of which we've been faced with lately.
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When it comes to automobile efficiency and safety, new technology has a lot of benefits. These advanced safety systems can help you avoid serious crashes, prevent you from hitting an animal or child, help you to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and keep you apprised of traffic issues or obstacles while you're on the road, day or night. Most people would agree that this is a good thing for auto consumers.
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If you're a typical American family, chances are you spend a lot of time in the car: driving to and from sports practice and music lessons, dropping kids off for playdates and sleepovers, taking road trips to visit friends and family, and the like. So if it's time for an upgrade, you really want to find the right vehicle for your family and lifestyle. Here's what you should think about when planning for a new family-mobile, to make sure your loved ones stay safe on the road.
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Recreational Vehicle (RV) sales soared during the pandemic, as stir-crazy families across the U.S. realized that road trips might be the safest and only way to get out of the house. And according to recent consumer reports, the trend shows no signs of slowing.
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Good tires that are in good shape are critical to safe driving. Every driver should know a little bit about how to assess their tires and how to purchase new ones when they're needed.
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A used car can be a great investment and often makes much more sense than buying new. But one major downside is that you don't always know what you're getting. With just a little bit of knowledge, however, you can become a confident used car consumer.
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In many cases, a warranty can seem like a sneaky way for manufacturers to squeeze a few extra bucks out of their customers. In some cases, purchasing a warranty might actually be a good idea. Whether you're thinking about signing up for a warranty on a major purchase, or deciding whether to pay a few extra bucks for a warranty on a small appliance while standing in line at Target, here's what you need to know in order to make the best decision.
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This summer, during these unprecedented times, families are taking to the road as a way to vacation in the safest way possible during the pandemic. While driving may minimize your risk of contracting COVID-19, it isn't always the safest way to travel - in fact, the summer months are some of the most dangerous to be on the road. Here are the top 10 risks that you should be aware of if you're planning on taking that summer road trip.
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If there's one thing that research points out, it's that teens are, literally, the worst drivers. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers, and the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16-19 than among any other age group. So while your teen is probably thrilled to be driving, and you're probably thrilled to not be driving them everywhere, it's important to continue teaching them how to stay safe and smart on the road. Luckily, teenagers are stubborn but still pretty impressionable. Here are the most important things you can instill in your brand new teenage driver, and guidelines to have them follow.
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Spring is fast approaching and for some drivers that means it's time to shop for a new car. The following cars are rated as the top ten most expensive cars to insure. However, at the end of the day, several factors affect your car insurance premium, not just the price tag on your dream vehicle.
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