Autoblog

D.C. police jailing motorists for expired tags, AAA up in arms

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Police/Emergency

We don't typically like to stray into messy conversations like the one about our country's penal system, especially when we don't necessarily have the answers to make the situation any better. There's a lot wrong when a nation has an incarcerated population larger than some small countries, and situations like the one in Washington, D.C. aren't making the situation any better. According to Fox News, police in our nation's capital are treating drivers with expired vehicle registration tags to a one-night, all-expense paid trip to the local jail. The issue has drawn attention after a mother was arrested and detained on her way to pick up one child with another in the vehicle.

Police in Washington, D.C. typically issue a $100 citation for vehicles with tags that are expired past 30 days, though there can be instances where more serious measures can be taken. Since it's unlawful to operate a non-registered vehicle in the District, police can stop and arrest those drivers. Under the law, offenders can face up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail. Predictably, this situation has raised the hackles of politicians and the American Automobile Association, which has called the practice "ridiculous."

In the case of the mother, police informed the woman that her children would be placed in the hands of social services if she couldn't find someone to watch them during her brief stint behind bars. She was able to convince a teacher to look after them.

D.C. police jailing motorists for expired tags, AAA up in arms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA says one in four Americans unable to afford major car repair

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

That knocking sound, those screeching brakes, the worn tires. All signals that trouble is either here or just ahead, and your car needs to go in for repairs sooner rather than later. Are you going to be ready for the bill that comes along with the repair work? According to a study by AAA, there's a good chance you won't be.

One in four American drivers wouldn't have the funds available to pay a repair bill of $2,000. If the tally drops to $1,000, then one in eight drivers would still be unable to pay the mechanic. It's not like those totals are out of line for a major repair, either.

If you need transmission work done, you can quickly climb into the four-figure range. Engine work? Keep climbing. Don't forget about the rubber on the road either, as a new set of tires certainly starts in the low hundreds but rapidly rises into the low thousands for higher-performing hoops.

Because of the costs associated with maintaining an automobile, and given the current economic climate, a quarter of all motorists say they are neglecting needed repairs. The problem is, that could lead to a worse situation down the road.

How are you preparing for the unexpected? Are you hoping for the best or stashing cash just in case? Sound off in the comments.

Continue reading AAA says one in four Americans unable to afford major car repair

AAA says one in four Americans unable to afford major car repair originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How distracting is that puppy in the window?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Americans love their dogs, but can our furry friends lead to distracted driving? A report in Consumer Reports says yes, as a study from AAA and Kurgo shows that 52 percent of dog owners pet their dog when they're in the car with them. Further, 19 percent use their hands to prevent the dog from hopping up to the front seat, and 18 percent reach into the back seat to pet their dog. These statistics, which come from a sampling of 1,000 dog owners, show that a pet can be every bit as distracting as a cell phone or a fast food meal a-la-car.

Beyond distractions like letting the dog sit on the driver's lap while driving, the pet can also be a danger in the event of an accident. The study shows that 83 percent of drivers feel that leaving a pet unrestrained is dangerous, but only 16 percent actually restrain their animal. This can be a big problem in the event of an accident, as statistics show that an unrestrained 80-pound dog involved in a 30-mile-per-hour accident will exert 2,400 pounds of pressure upon impact. In other words, if the dog hits you in a 30-mph accident, he or she could do more harm than the vehicle collision itself.

How distracting is that puppy in the window? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it?

Paul Eisenstein — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Declining Highway Death Rate Challenges Distracted Driving Fears

The distracted driving debate is being marred by an overdose of hype and hysteria.

My weekend nearly got off to a disastrous start when a driver, busy texting, suddenly realized he was going to miss his exit. At the last possible moment, he slammed his brakes and surged across four lanes of traffic, avoiding the need to go a few miles out of the way - but nearly touching off a multi-car accident in the process.

We've all seen the texters, the women putting on makeup, the guys checking their sports scores. Heck, a woman in Florida recently crashed while giving herself a bikini shave. But are we experiencing, as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood puts it, "a deadly epidemic" of distracted driving - one that can only be addressed by the most draconian of new laws?

There's no question that there are some things you just shouldn't be doing behind the wheel, and few would argue against the laws that many states have passed prohibiting motorists from texting while driving. But what other steps are needed? The latest federal data on highway fatalities suggests we've probably gone far enough - and that the distracted driving debate is being marred by an overdose of hype and hysteria.

Continue reading...

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

[Image: Corbis]

Continue reading Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it?

Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don't statistics show it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Why you should never follow other cars too closely

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos

Scary road debris accident - Click above to view video after the jump

Flying road debris is a scary enough prospect when you're paying attention to the road and not filming the truck driving along beside you with a cameraphone. While we don't think the driver could have reacted quickly enough to avoid the flying road debris at that distance if he weren't busy recording, we certainly don't advocate this sort of thing.

According to the video's description, everyone inside the car was miraculously okay, though their nerves were no doubt more than a little frayed. According to a study by the American Automobile Association, 25,000 accidents like this one happen every year, and around 100 of those are fatal. Yikers. Take a deep breath, then follow the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Why you should never follow other cars too closely

Video: Why you should never follow other cars too closely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: AAA tests texting drivers on closed course

Chris Shunk — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Distracted driving kills... cones - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Distracted driving has become a big problem on our nation's roadways, and text messaging while behind the wheel has been targeted as one of the biggest issues. Ray LaHood and the Department of Transportation has made this issue a top safety priority, even writing an op-ed on Autoblog to spread the word.

AAA is is following in LaHood's footsteps, using YouTube to spread awareness that our growing fascination with our phones shouldn't mix with driving time. The post-jump video demonstrates how poorly drivers handled a not-so-tricky cone course in a Nissan Altima while texting and driving.

Those poor, poor orange cones... they never stood a chance.

Hit the jump to watch for yourself, and if you have any young drivers in the house, you may want to have them watch along.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: AAA tests texting drivers on closed course

Video: AAA tests texting drivers on closed course originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA lists top picks for commuters

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Click above for high-res gallery of AAA's Top Commuter Car Picks

The American Automobile Association of America (AAA) has revealed its top picks in commuter vehicles, with an eyebrow-raising potluck of conveyances from which to choose. Judged on "practicality, safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and affordability" the Honda Insight comes in first, one of three Hondas in the top ten. They are joined by the Ford Fusion at number two, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI at three, and a Chevy, Mazda, Hyundai, and two Subarus to round it out.

The expanded list that includes vehicles that offer more than just commuting pleasure, namely the Chevy Corvette and Mercedes GL. Perhaps it isn't really surprising, but not a single Toyota appears on the list. You can read the entire rundown and the reasons in the presser after the jump, or check out the top picks in the gallery below.

Gallery: AAA's Top Commuter Picks

[Source: Auto Remarketing]

Continue reading AAA lists top picks for commuters

AAA lists top picks for commuters originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Celebrities

Click above for a huge gallery of pics from our night at the museum

Last night we got the chance to live out a lifelong fantasy of sorts when we attended The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala. The theme this year was California Dreaming, and along with several woodys and Cal-cool hot rods, there were tons of Hawaiian shirts around to support the cause. This year's fundraising event honored Tom McKernan of the Auto Club of Southern California (aka AAA), with a private concert by Brian Wilson and his band. While the party was being staged upstairs, we were free to wander around the downstairs exhibits in near isolation. It was almost like that childhood dream of being locked in a museum overnight by ourselves. Fortunately, Ben Stiller never showed up, but we did get a chance to say hello to Ashley and John Force, Rita Moreno, Tom Selleck and Billy Gibbons, among others. Follow the jump to read the rest of the story and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: 15th Annual Petersen Gala

Continue reading AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala

AB's Night at the Museum: The 15th Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Gala originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 May 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:35:00 EST

Filed under: Event Alert

One of the greatest automotive museums in the world is celebrating its 15th birthday this year. The Petersen Automotive Museum was founded in 1994 and instantly became pilgrimage for car lovers of all ages. Right in the heart of Los Angeles, it proudly took its spot among the dozens of museums, architectural masterpieces and cultural attractions along the city's Miracle Mile.

Besides its large permanent collection, the Petersen also hosts revolving exhibits and special events. Their annual Gala charity fundraiser has turned into a must-attend event for anyone who's anyone in the car biz. This year's theme is "California Dreaming" and the Gala will honor Grammy-award-winning musician Brian Wilson and Tom McKernan, Chief Executive Officer of the Automobile Club of Southern California. Past honorees at the Gala have included Carroll Shelby, Barry Meguiar, and Chip Foose, among others.

To show just why he's truly deserving of this honor, Brian Wilson and his band will perform some of his best known hits including "Little Deuce Coupe," "409," and "Fun Fun Fun." Meanwhile McKernan is being honored because of his many contributions to the automotive industry and Southern California motorists over his forty years of service. He also happens to be an avid car collector.

NHRA racing commentator, David McClelland, will reprise his role as master of ceremonies during the Gala, which will include a cocktail reception, an auction, and dinner. Individual tickets and tables are still available. This year's Gala will take place at the museum on Thursday, May 7. For additional info, check out the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan

Petersen Museum celebrating 15th with Gala honoring Brian Wilson, Tom McKernan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cost of vehicle maintenance is escalading

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, First Drives

The pains many automobile owners are feeling at their local service station isn't just at the pump -- prices for general maintenance is also increasing. Petroleum based products, such as oil and tires, are heading north with the price of gasoline. Demand for steel has also pushed up prices on various automotive parts. That means consumers are seeing larger bills from their auto repair specialists, even when their exhaust doesn't require three people to install. Instead, many are choosing to squeeze pennies and skimp on elaborate repairs in order to stay on the road. AAA says in 2008 the average vehicle owner will spend $8,121 to operate their automobile. That is up nearly $300 from last year. The only ease in operational expenses could come from the insurance industry. As costs increase, people drive less and less, which should subsequently lead to fewer accidents and lower premiums.

[Source: Detroit News]

Cost of vehicle maintenance is escalading originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA: Teen crashes cost society $34 billion per year

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, First Drives

Nobody would argue that the potential for lost-life is the worst thing about teen crashes, but the related monetary expenses are also rather staggering. AAA estimates that teen crashes ended up costing more than $34 billion annually in medical expenses, lost work, property damage, quality of life loss and other related costs in 2006 alone. According to AAA, fifteen to seventeen year-old drivers were involved in nearly a million crashes in 2006, injuring 406,427 people and killing 2,541. Each fatality carries an average cost of $3.841 million while injury accidents post an average of $50,512.

According to their research, AAA suggests that states should take up graduated driver licensing strategies, which they say are proven to reduce fatal crashes involving teen drivers by an average of 38 percent. Browse through the press release after the break for the whole set of sad statistics.

[Source: AAA]

Continue reading AAA: Teen crashes cost society $34 billion per year

AAA: Teen crashes cost society $34 billion per year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA says accidents more costly than congestion

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Automobile accidents frequently result in a large bill for the offending party. AAA wants us to know that it doesn't stop there, either. The automotive service group has released the results of a study indicating that vehicle wreckage costs the average American more each year than traffic congestion. The research was conducted by Cambridge Systematics, which drew the $1,051 yearly cost per person total from a combination of medical expenses, emergency and police services, property damage, and lost productivity. Compared to the annual congestion report issued by the Texas Transportation Institute, the price is nearly 2.5 times the $430 yearly expense one incurs due to clogged roadways. AAA's aim with the report is to direct more focus on increasing vehicle safety. It is no surprise since they are in the business of auto insurance, and if accidents are costly to anyone, it is the insurance companies.

[Source: CNN Money]

AAA says accidents more costly than congestion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parents magazine picks 15 best family vehicles for '07

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Crossover

Buyers guides always tend to be controversial, mainly because the selection criteria might not coincide with your own. Therefore, you have to take the target audience into account when viewing any kind of recommendations. We'll remind you heading in that this was Parents magazine doing this particular list. They teamed up with Triple-A to pick the top three vehicles for families from each of five categories. Not to generalize about families because we were part of one ourselves at one time, but things like economy of operation, safety and reliability tend to take precedent over acceleration, handling and styling in this market segment.

So for the fifth year in a row, Parents has made their selections based mainly on safety. They chose according to performance on government and industry crash tests, and whether or not the vehicles offer the latest safety technologies. They also road-tested their picks looking for a "perfect mix of performance, reliability, comfort, and bang for the buck." Also factored in were how easily car seats fit and how much room there was for all that stuff parents find themselves hauling around on a daily basis.

The five categories are crossovers, SUVs, minivans, sedans and economy cars, with bonus mentions for the top three generally-too-small-for-families-but-affordable-and-cool subcompacts. They even spent some time discussing hybrids and dealer pricing strategies. Pretty good, albeit safe choices in each category. Nothing should come as much of a surprise and none are offensive selections. Follow the jump for the list then click the read link to see a lengthy discussion of each choice.

[Source: Parents]

Continue reading Parents magazine picks 15 best family vehicles for '07

Parents magazine picks 15 best family vehicles for '07 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Average cost of driving remains flat at 52.2 cents/mile

John Neff — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, First Drives

According to the AAA, it costs an average of 52.2 cents/mile to operate a new vehicle, which is about the same it was last year. On average, the association figures you'll be spending $7,823 to drive 15,000 miles. While you may have noticed that gas prices have been a little lower lately, any savings at the pump are offset by higher insurance rates and the increase of financing when buying a new vehicle.

The AAA also breaks it down by vehicle type, so where a small car may cost you $6,219 a year to drive, a large sedan would force $9,373 out of your wallet. A minivan demands $8,639 a year, while the SUV remains the consuming king, gobbling up $9,997 per year. Ownership expenses that fit into the calculation include fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and finance charges. What, no car washes?

[Source: Detroit News]

Average cost of driving remains flat at 52.2 cents/mile originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAA Shows How Not to Drive Your Car

Chris Shunk — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:54:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

We've all done dumb things in the car before. Eating, talking on the phone, looking at a map, or even reaching for a dropped CD while driving a car will increase your chances of getting into an accident. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute teamed up with the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety to study driver behaviors and determine what we're doing behind the wheel. To capture driver behavior, 240 drivers in and around the Washington DC area drove 100 specially equipped vehicles that contained five cameras that captured the driver's every move. You'd think with big brother you would be a little more aware of what was going on around you. Amazingly, the cameras captured 82 accidents and 761 near-crashes.

At the conclusion of the test, AAA narrowed down the biggest risks as driving while drowsy, speeding, aggressive driving, and taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds. Speeding and driving drowsy TRIPLED the chances of a resulting accident, and distracted driving and aggressive driving doubled the chance of a crash. AAA's message is clear: if you're late for a meeting, tired, and your tie needs adjusting, catch a cab. You're an accident waiting to happen.

[Source: Business Week]

AAA Shows How Not to Drive Your Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ohio has nation's cheapest gas

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

According to AAA, our friends in the Buckeye State are benefiting from the end of the summer driving season by registering the lowest gas prices in the nation. Ohio residents are enjoying a 30-cent discount on fuel, compared to the national average, partly due to seasonal demand and increased competition between the purveyors of the go-juice.

The average cost of tank of unleaded in Ohio is $2.29 a gallon, which in comparison to this writer's residence in the Golden State, is a full 58 cents less than the fill-up station down the road. Fine, we'll see your cheap gas and raise you our ability to go skiing in our shorts.

[Source: NewsNet5.com]

Ohio has nation's cheapest gas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Sep 2006 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas team wins at Ford/AAA Auto Skills Challenge

Eric Bryant — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:21:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Etc.

A team from Paris High School in Texas took the top spot in this past weekend's Ford/AAA Auto Skills Challenge. The goal of the yearly competition, which pits the top 50 two-man teams against each other, is to accurately diagnosis and repair a vehicle that has been deliberately disabled. The teams are given a maximum of 90 minutes to complete the task, and Bradley J. Bolton and Aaron Clay were able to get their Mustang GT convertible started in less than 30 minutes. For that half-hour of work (which, to be fair, was preceded by several months of preparation), they walked away with $2,500 in scholarships and a nice accomplishment to add to their resumes.

Including the many regional competitions, Ford and AAA distributed a total of $6M in prizes and scholarships to this year's competitors.

[Source: AAA; complete press release posted after the jump]

Continue reading Texas team wins at Ford/AAA Auto Skills Challenge

Texas team wins at Ford/AAA Auto Skills Challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hold on to your wallet - driving costs hit 52 cents a mile

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Maintenance

The folks at the AAA issued the results of their annual "Your Driving Costs" study Tuesday, and the bottom line isn't pretty - the overall average cost of owning and operating your late model ride in the U.S. is about 52.2 cents per mile, or $7,834 per year, if you drive 15,000 miles.

Triple-A bases its estimates on the all-in costs of owning a new car, including depreciation, finance charges, insurance, registration, maintenance, and, of course, gas prices. Your circumstances may well be different, of course, so the Driving Costs report includes a handy worksheet for you to calculate the bad news yourself.

The full report is available here, and breaks down driving costs for small, medium and large sedans, as well as SUVs and Minivans. The per mile costs vary from a low of 41.7 cents for an average of the five best-selling small sedans, to a high of 65.4 cents for an SUV.

[Source: AAA]

Hold on to your wallet - driving costs hit 52 cents a mile originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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