Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/smoking-pot-nearly-doubles-risk-of-serious-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/smoking-pot-nearly-doubles-risk-of-serious-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/smoking-pot-nearly-doubles-risk-of-serious-crash/#commentsFiled under: , ,

marijuana

Canadian researchers have discovered smoking marijuana three hours before driving can more than double a driver's chance of being involved in a serious crash. The study examined data collected from 49,111 victims who had been seriously injured or died in an accident. Researchers specifically looked at cases where tetrahydrocannabionol, the active compound in marijuana, was found in the victims' blood stream but where other drugs and alcohol were absent. The study also evaluated instances where the driver admitted to smoking within three hours of the crash. The findings demonstrate that, while those who drive under the influence of alcohol are still more likely to be involved in a collision than their pot-smoking counterparts, marijuana significantly impairs an individual's ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Shocking.

The study did not note precise levels of THC present in each instance, though as CBC News reports, other research has proven a positive link between the higher crash likelihood and elevated THC levels.

Law enforcement agencies are currently struggling to effectively test for THC impairment during roadside stops. Unlike blood-alcohol levels, which can be easily tested for using a breath test, THC is harder to detect. As a result, most agencies have adopted a zero-tolerance policy.

Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driving highdriving under the influencemarijuanapotresearchstudythcMon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20169951/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/13/smoking-pot-nearly-doubles-risk-of-serious-crash/20169951/article-detail.xml 20169951 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/marijuana_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/marijuana.jpg <![CDATA[Latest reason for teen crashes? Peer pressure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/latest-reason-for-teen-crashes-peer-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/latest-reason-for-teen-crashes-peer-pressure/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/latest-reason-for-teen-crashes-peer-pressure/#commentsFiled under:

teen driver

A new study from the water-is-still-wet research department has found that teens may have been the victims of peer pressure just before a crash. The studies were crafted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm. The first study surveyed 198 teens and found that those who were more likely to have friends pile into a vehicle with them were also apt to call themselves "thrill seekers." Those teens also said they didn't want their parents to set rules or keep an eye on their comings and goings. In addition, they were less likely to perceive the risks associated with driving in general.

The second study, meanwhile, analyzed information from 677 teens who were involved in serious crashes while behind the wheel. As it turns out, both male and female drivers were more likely to be distracted just before the incident, with 71 percent of males saying they were distracted by their passengers. The study found 47 percent of female teens admitted the same. The study also found teen males with passengers were six times more likely to perform an illegal maneuver and twice as likely to drive aggressively before a crash compared to their counterparts driving alone.

While it's no secret that teens with passengers are more likely get into an incident, the two studies help shed some light on why that is.

Latest reason for teen crashes? Peer pressure originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrens hospital of philadelphiacrashcrashespeer pressureresearchstate farmstudyteenteen driversteensFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20159343/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/latest-reason-for-teen-crashes-peer-pressure/20159343/article-detail.xml 20159343 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/teen-driver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/teen-driver.jpg <![CDATA[Jeremy Clarkson voted worst off-road trip partner in UK survey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/jeremy-clarkson-voted-worst-off-road-trip-partner-in-uk-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/jeremy-clarkson-voted-worst-off-road-trip-partner-in-uk-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/jeremy-clarkson-voted-worst-off-road-trip-partner-in-uk-survey/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're about to embark on an off-road driving expedition, you're going to need the right co-pilot. Someone with good knowledge of how a car works, good survival skills and - most important of all - a good sense of humor.

This according to a recent study carried out in the UK by Continental Tires ahead of the launch of the Conti 4x4 Trophy, in which respondents ranked humor as an over-arching qualifying trait for the right person to ride shotgun.

So who did the British respondents choose? The blokes went with a pretty face in glamor model Kelly Brook, while the ladies elected Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame. But it's the least favorite picks that caught our attention.

According to the study, the worst person to have riding shotgun on such an off-road trip would be Jeremy Clarkson. Joining Jezza in the top ten least favorite co-pilots in the study were Katie Price (another "glamor model" like the aforementioned Kelly Brook who goes by the name Jordan), Prime Minister David Cameron, fashion model Kate Moss, TV show hostesses Carol Vorderman and Christine Bleakley, parliamentarian Nick Clegg, pop idol Madonna, Idol host Simon Cowell and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

For our part, we're not sure the Top Gear host (or for that matter the McLaren driver) would be at the very top of our list, but he certainly wouldn't be at the bottom. This after a similar study placed Jezza as the top choice for a house-sitter, one of the top five Brits that men would like to have a date with, and, most contradictingly, the country's top pick for a passenger on an on-road trip.

Continue reading Jeremy Clarkson voted worst off-road trip partner in UK survey

Jeremy Clarkson voted worst off-road trip partner in UK survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainclarksonconti 4x4 trophycontinentaljeremy clarksonpollstudysurveyThu, 02 Feb 2012 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20162165/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/02/jeremy-clarkson-voted-worst-off-road-trip-partner-in-uk-survey/20162165/article-detail.xml 20162165 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/clarkson1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/clarkson1.jpg <![CDATA[UK insurer says "reckless fog light drivers" cause 300,000 accidents a year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/uk-insurer-says-reckless-fog-light-drivers-cause-300-000-accid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/uk-insurer-says-reckless-fog-light-drivers-cause-300-000-accid/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/uk-insurer-says-reckless-fog-light-drivers-cause-300-000-accid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It would probably be easier for researchers to change tracks and start telling us what doesn't cause cancer or obesity or car accidents. Latest on the list of automotive smash-up causes, according to a study by UK insurer Swiftcover, are drivers leaving their fog lights on in good visibility. The numbers are brazen, with Swiftcover attributing "as many as 300,000" accidents and two million near misses in the last 12 months "caused by drivers leaving fog lights on in the same period."

The UK highway code prohibits driving with one's fog lights on in conditions with visibility greater than 100 meters. Swiftcover's study says the lights dazzle other drivers, especially in London where 50 percent of incidents were registered, and that this applies to both front and rear fog lights.

Follow the jump for a press release on the study and a link to the Highway Code if you need a refresher.

Continue reading UK insurer says "reckless fog light drivers" cause 300,000 accidents a year

UK insurer says "reckless fog light drivers" cause 300,000 accidents a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car accidentcar crashfog lightfoglightinsurancestudyswiftcoverswiftcover.comukunited kingdomwreckTue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20159161/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/uk-insurer-says-reckless-fog-light-drivers-cause-300-000-accid/20159161/article-detail.xml 20159161 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/13kiasorentoreview2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/13kiasorentoreview2011.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i> survey suggests buyers don't see differences between car companies]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/consumer-reports-survey-suggests-buyers-dont-see-differe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/consumer-reports-survey-suggests-buyers-dont-see-differe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/29/consumer-reports-survey-suggests-buyers-dont-see-differe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Consumer Reports Brand Perception Survey

Today's vehicles are more powerful, more efficient and safer than ever before. In fact, today's car buyer would be hard pressed to spend his or her money on a genuinely bad vehicle. But those overall improvements may have also led consumers to believe there are no real differences between the various products offered by the world's major automakers. According to the Consumer Reports 2012 Car-Brand Perception Survey, Toyota, Ford, Honda and Chevrolet have all seen their scores drop by double digits compared to last year.

The survey asks consumers to rate brands across seven categories. Consumer Reports says that by combining those categories, the organization can get a handle on how each brand is perceived in the marketplace.

This year, Toyota continued to lead in the survey, though its persistent recalls saw the brand's perception fall by 17 points this year. Ford, Honda and BMW all saw their perception scores plummet more than 20 points. The results may indicate consumers are seeing fewer differences between automakers as products continue to improve. While that's good news for smaller automakers like Hyundai, Kia and Subaru, larger names in the industry should be worried. Head over to Consumer Reports for the full report.

Consumer Reports survey suggests buyers don't see differences between car companies originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 car-brand perception studycar brandscarmakerschevroletconsumer reportsconsumer reports car brand perception studyfordhondaowner loyaltystudytoyotaSun, 29 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20158299/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/29/consumer-reports-survey-suggests-buyers-dont-see-differe/20158299/article-detail.xml 20158299 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/consumer-reports-cars-brand-perception-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/consumer-reports-cars-brand-perception-2012.jpg <![CDATA[UK survey says Honda models most "pothole-proof"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/25/uk-survey-says-honda-models-most-pothole-proof/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/25/uk-survey-says-honda-models-most-pothole-proof/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/25/uk-survey-says-honda-models-most-pothole-proof/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Honda Civic Wheel

A new study by Warranty Direct in the UK claims Honda makes vehicles that are the least-susceptible to damage from potholes. According to the company, only 1.4 percent of Honda owners submit a warranty claim for repair due to pothole damage. Compare that figure with the 12.2 percent of Chrysler owners who submit claims - the American automaker found itself the least resilient to pothole damage alongside luxury makes like Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Surprisingly enough, Smart actually landed itself in second place for the number of claims submitted as a result of pothole damage.

Economical brands like Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Kia all fare well against rough pavement, however. We're not surprised by the outcome. Luxury vehicles are more likely to be equipped with low-profile tires and large, expensive wheels that can easily be bent or broken under the right circumstances. Budget vehicles, meanwhile, make due with meaty sidewalls and sturdy steel wheels. Head over to What Car for the full rankings.

UK survey says Honda models most "pothole-proof" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahonda pothole studyinsurancepotholepotholesstudywarrantywarranty claimSun, 25 Dec 2011 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20133046/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/25/uk-survey-says-honda-models-most-pothole-proof/20133046/article-detail.xml 20133046 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/honda-civic-wheel-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/honda-civic-wheel-628.jpg <![CDATA[Women at greater risk of injury in crashes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/women-at-greater-risk-of-injury-in-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/women-at-greater-risk-of-injury-in-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/25/women-at-greater-risk-of-injury-in-crashes/#commentsFiled under:

Female crash test dummy

The American Journal of Public Health has published a new study on the role of gender in auto accidents. The results indicate that women are more likely to be injured than men when involved in comparable crashes. Researchers say that when wearing seat belts, female drivers have a higher risk of chest and spinal injuries.

A combination of relatively smaller stature and differences in preferred seating positions make women more vulnerable, according to the study. Their chances of being injured while wearing a seatbelt are 47 percent higher than men.

But not everyone is buying the research. Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety told ABC News that the researchers used out-of-date data. The study looked at crash statistics going back as far as 1998. Many cars on the road then would be almost 20 years old by now, meaning they would not incorporate the most modern crash protection technology.

"The study would have a lot more value if it were limited to 2000 and later model year vehicles to make sure all vehicles had female friendly airbags," Ditlow said.

Women at greater risk of injury in crashes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american journal for public healthcenter for auto safetycrashgendersafetystudywomenwomen car crashesTue, 25 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20090000/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/25/women-at-greater-risk-of-injury-in-crashes/20090000/article-detail.xml 20090000 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/female-crash-dummy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/female-crash-dummy.jpg <![CDATA[Car buffs more likely to be aggressive drivers. In other news, grass green, sky blue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/car-buffs-more-likely-to-be-aggressive-drivers-in-other-news-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/car-buffs-more-likely-to-be-aggressive-drivers-in-other-news-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/21/car-buffs-more-likely-to-be-aggressive-drivers-in-other-news-g/#commentsFiled under: ,



A new study published online in the Journal of Psychology & Marketing tells us what most gearheads already know: If you perceive your car as extension of self, you're more likely to drive aggressively.

Unsurprising to us, yes, but also to Ayalla Ruvio, lead author of "Aggressive Driving: A Consumption Experience." In a statement released by Temple University, she admits that her study "explains much of the phenomenon we knew existed." An assistant professor of marketing at Temple's Fox School of Business, Ruvio conducted her research - which consisted of surveying fewer than 300 people - in Israel.

Ruvio's astute command of the obvious extends to determining that "young people who are in the early stages of forming their self-identity might feel the need to show off their car and driving skills more than others" and "a sense of being under time and pressure leads to more aggressive driving."

Click through the jump to read the full release, wherein Ruvio also name-checks Shania Twain and Thelma and Louise.

Continue reading Car buffs more likely to be aggressive drivers. In other news, grass green, sky blue

Car buffs more likely to be aggressive drivers. In other news, grass green, sky blue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aggressive drivingayalla ruviostudytemple universityFri, 21 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20086657/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/21/car-buffs-more-likely-to-be-aggressive-drivers-in-other-news-g/20086657/article-detail.xml 20086657 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/46-2012-bmw-m5-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/46-2012-bmw-m5-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Audi's "Road Frustration Index" plugs new A6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/audis-road-frustration-index-plugs-new-a6/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/audis-road-frustration-index-plugs-new-a6/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/audis-road-frustration-index-plugs-new-a6/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Road Frustration Index

Audi's latest ad campaign for the new 2012 A6 claims to want to make the road "a more intelligent place," starting with asking drivers to pledge to be on their best behavior while behind the wheel. At the top of the German automaker's list of sins is driving while drinking a latte, leading us to perceive the effort as only half serious. (Notably absent from the list is "I will give my keys to a sober friend after consuming six liters of lager at Oktoberfest.") Still, those who promise fealty to Audi enter a contest to win a trip to the Audi Sportscar Experience driving school, which we can guarantee is a lot more fun than the signing a pledge of, say, abstinence.

More to the point, however, is another new initiative, the Road Frustration Index. It's a clever mashup of data from Weather.com, traffic information from NAVTEQ, and Twitter feeds to show just how miserable life on the road is these days. Big metro areas are ranked in real time, with records dating back to early Sept. Audi didn't dream this thing up all on its own, but partnered with the Senseable City Laboratory at MIT to lend an air of credibility to the project, if nothing else. The Road Frustration Index is routinely tagging Sacramento, CA, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., as the most frustrating places to drive, which seems reasonable.

While Audi and the researchers at MIT are using factors other than just road congestion to come up with their rankings, a quick cross-check of the Urban Mobility Report from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University shows some overlap. TTI's 2011 edition has Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York atop its congestion rankings.

While we will grant kudos to Audi for acknowledging just how miserable life can be out there in the commuter world, at the end of the day, this is still an ad campaign. And while a new A6 might make your commute a heck of a lot more enjoyable, it's quite a stretch to suggest the car is one of the "solutions" to improving the state of our roads.

Audi's "Road Frustration Index" plugs new A6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 audi a6a6audicongestionstudytrafficFri, 07 Oct 2011 08:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20075687/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/07/audis-road-frustration-index-plugs-new-a6/20075687/article-detail.xml 20075687 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/rfi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/rfi.jpg <![CDATA[White ousts silver as America's favorite automotive paint color]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/white-ousts-silver-as-americas-favorite-automotive-paint-color/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/white-ousts-silver-as-americas-favorite-automotive-paint-color/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/white-ousts-silver-as-americas-favorite-automotive-paint-color/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Lexus LFA

When it comes to tastes in automobiles, Europeans and Americans tend to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. Small trumps big. Manual over automatic. Car against truck. Black versus white.

That's right, automotive paint supplier PPG says 20% of new cars in North America were white in 2011, while black dominated Europe with 26%. The Asian market preferred the neutrality of silver, which colored 25% of vehicles sold there.

Truth be told, none of the three major global markets embraced any real colors, as white, silver, and black made up the top three in each region. In North America, the order was white-silver-black, Europeans had it black-white-silver, while Asians chose silver-white-black. White took over the top spot globally with, of course, silver and black tied for second. Last year, silver topped PPG's list.

Perhaps the most important detail we found in PPG's press release was this factoid: "40 percent of the automotive consumers said they would prefer a wider range of color choices."

Read the entire release after the jump.

Continue reading White ousts silver as America's favorite automotive paint color

White ousts silver as America's favorite automotive paint color originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011colorpaintppgstudywhitewhite carsThu, 06 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20075607/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/06/white-ousts-silver-as-americas-favorite-automotive-paint-color/20075607/article-detail.xml 20075607 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/whitelfa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/whitelfa.jpg <![CDATA[New Yorkers have longest commutes, also use public transport most]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/new-yorkers-have-longest-commutes-also-use-public-transport-mos/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/new-yorkers-have-longest-commutes-also-use-public-transport-mos/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/new-yorkers-have-longest-commutes-also-use-public-transport-mos/#commentsFiled under: ,

NYC Traffic

According to the American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau, "The New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA Metro Area had the longest average
commute, at 34.6 minutes."

We think that maybe more New Yorkers filled in the survey than anyone else. We can't help but think there are thousands of people in the Los Angeles metro area who would laugh at a 34.6-minute commute. Los Angeles, in fact, didn't even make the top five, even though it's a city so impervious to normal driving that distances are measured in time, not miles. But if that's what the Census Bureau says, then we believe it, the 405 be damned...

Other revelations are that average commute time has only gone up a few minutes since 1980, the foreign-born are more likely to use public transportation than native citizens, and that it takes an average of 14.2 minutes to get to work in Great Falls, Montana. Click here for the full survey. If you're in New York, you can read it on the subway.

New Yorkers have longest commutes, also use public transport most originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acsamerican community surveycensus bureaucommutecommutersnew york citypublic transportationstudySat, 24 Sep 2011 10:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20065435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/24/new-yorkers-have-longest-commutes-also-use-public-transport-mos/20065435/article-detail.xml 20065435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/nyctraffic-fabrisalvetti2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/nyctraffic-fabrisalvetti2.jpg <![CDATA[Survey: 66% believe drivers rely too much on technology]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/survey-66-believe-drivers-rely-too-much-on-technology/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/survey-66-believe-drivers-rely-too-much-on-technology/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/survey-66-believe-drivers-rely-too-much-on-technology/#commentsFiled under: ,



According to a new study released by MetLife, around 66 percent of those surveyed believe that drivers rely too heavily on technology while behind the wheel, and that reliance may contribute to unsafe driving. MetLife also found that drivers are more familiar with convenience tech than safety-oriented advancements.

Of those polled, 85 percent believe that cars are safer today than they used to be, and a whopping 90 percent are either very or somewhat familiar with GPS devices that can take attention from the road. In addition, 77 percent of those surveyed said that they were familiar with Bluetooth hands-free calling, despite the fact that a hands-free conversation can be just as distracting as driving while speaking on a cell phone.

In comparison, only 42 percent of those polled said they were somewhat familiar with electronic stability control while 31 percent of respondents said that they'd never heard of the system. Yes, these people are sharing the road with you. Hit the jump for a look at the full survey results.

Continue reading Survey: 66% believe drivers rely too much on technology

Survey: 66% believe drivers rely too much on technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metlifestudysurveytechnologytechnology studytechnology surveyFri, 23 Sep 2011 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20050518/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/23/survey-66-believe-drivers-rely-too-much-on-technology/20050518/article-detail.xml 20050518 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/myford-touch-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/myford-touch-630.jpg <![CDATA[New CAFE standards will result in $65B in lost revenue for road projects]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/new-cafe-standards-will-result-in-65b-in-lost-revenue-for-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/new-cafe-standards-will-result-in-65b-in-lost-revenue-for-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/new-cafe-standards-will-result-in-65b-in-lost-revenue-for-road/#commentsFiled under: ,

Road Revenue TableAccording to a new study by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, new Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards that mandate cars and light trucks average 54.5 mpg by 2025 will deprive federal highway projects of more than $65 billion in revenues.

That estimation is based on the fact that at-the-pump taxes levied on fuel are by law funneled to transportation projects. With mandatory CAFE fuel mileage increases, the amount of revenue collected from gas taxes will go down, which will cut into road revenues, the report says.

Of course, there are ways of circumventing that lost income, but all that will surely play out in the coming few years. In the meantime, click past the jump to see the report for yourself. Naturally, it's worth noting that the ARTBA, based in Washington, DC, is a group that represents the interests of road and construction workers.

Continue reading New CAFE standards will result in $65B in lost revenue for road projects

New CAFE standards will result in $65B in lost revenue for road projects originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Depressed teenage girl driverA new Australian study may indicate that depressed teens are more likely to get into an accident than their mentally-fit peers. According to our peers over at AOL Autos, a recent report published in the journal Injury Prevention translates the fact that depressed individuals are more likely to engage in self-destructive behavior into teen driving habits.

It's no secret that younger drivers are more likely to get into an accident. Researchers point out that individuals between 17 and 24 years old accounted for 22.3 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2008, but the study of 1,284 young drivers showed that those who had signs of depression and anxiety also freely admitted to speeding.

Those involved in the research seem to think the results indicate a strong correlation between mental illness and risky driving behavior, though it's important to note that the findings rely on self-reported behavior instead of actual scientific observations. Even so, the study suggests that mental evaluations can be used to determine which young drivers will be more of a danger behind the wheel.

Depressed teens more dangerous behind the wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>depresseddepressionstudyteen angstteen depressionteen driversteenage depressionteenagersyoung driversFri, 29 Jul 2011 16:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20004481/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/29/depressed-teens-more-dangerous-behind-the-wheel/20004481/article-detail.xml 20004481 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/depressed-teen-girl-driver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/depressed-teen-girl-driver.jpg <![CDATA[Kids safer with grandparents driving than parents]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/kids-safer-with-grandparents-driving-than-parents/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/kids-safer-with-grandparents-driving-than-parents/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/kids-safer-with-grandparents-driving-than-parents/#commentsFiled under:

Elderly driver

According to a new study, children who ride with their grandparents are half as likely to be injured in an accident as those who ride with their parents. The news comes from research organized by Dr. Fred Henretig, an emergency medicine specialist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Henretig and his team poured through the State Farm data from insurance claims between 2003 and 2007 across 15 states. The research included information on over 12,000 children below the age of 15, and the study interviewed drivers involved in the accidents.

While older drivers are typically more prone to get into an automobile accident and may not always follow proper installation instructions on child booster seats, younger passengers are still less likely to be injured in an accident with their grandparents. The researchers aren't entirely sure why this is, though Henretig says that it may have something to do with the fact that grandparents are more careful drivers with their grandchildren in the vehicle.

Kids safer with grandparents driving than parents originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentscar accidentsgrandparentgrandparentsinjuryinjury ratesresearchstate farmstudyFri, 22 Jul 2011 13:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19996913/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/22/kids-safer-with-grandparents-driving-than-parents/19996913/article-detail.xml 19996913 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/tr005959_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/tr005959.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i>: Car buyers will pay for higher fuel economy, won't compromise safety]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/consumer-reports-car-buyers-will-pay-for-higher-fuel-economy-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/consumer-reports-car-buyers-will-pay-for-higher-fuel-economy-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/26/consumer-reports-car-buyers-will-pay-for-higher-fuel-economy-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota Prius models at a dealership

According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, new car buyers are factoring fuel economy as a larger concern in their purchases. That's no real surprise given that prices at the pump remain high, but the study also revealed that those same consumers are unwilling to sacrifice safety just to net a few additional miles per gallon.

The research revealed that 62 percent of buyers say they are planning to buy a vehicle with much better or significantly better fuel economy than their current ride. On average, that translates to fuel economy of 29 mpg or better. Surprisingly enough, 10 percent of those questioned said that they expected 40 mpg or better from their next purchase. That means that buyers will need to be willing to make all sorts of concessions, including making compromises on purchase price, vehicle size and the number of options.

One factor those surveyed evidently won't give up on, however, is safety. Only 11 percent of the total respondents said they would be willing to compromise safety for greater fuel economy. Read the complete summary over at Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports: Car buyers will pay for higher fuel economy, won't compromise safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buying habitscar buyingcar shoppingconsumer reportsfuel economygreenstudyThu, 26 May 2011 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19949804/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/26/consumer-reports-car-buyers-will-pay-for-higher-fuel-economy-w/19949804/article-detail.xml 19949804 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/prius-models-on-a-lot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/prius-models-on-a-lot.jpg <![CDATA[Study: Men more likely to overrule GPS than women, still won't stop for directions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/31/study-men-more-likely-to-overrule-gps-than-women-still-wont-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/31/study-men-more-likely-to-overrule-gps-than-women-still-wont-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/31/study-men-more-likely-to-overrule-gps-than-women-still-wont-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Satellite Navigation System

The voice of the navigation system tells you to turn right, but you are absolutely positive that it's a better idea to go straight for two more streets and then turn left. Do you listen to the sat-nav, or your gut? If you're a man, you're more likely to stick to your guns, at least according to a study by UK insurance retailer Swinton.

The study, which polled 3,000 users about their navigation habits, discovered that 83 percent of men have disobeyed their nav system at least once, compared to under 75 percent for women. The study also showed that one-third of all participants surveyed felt their navigation system took them between one and five kilometers astray, while half say the system's directions led to an in-car argument with a passenger.

Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton, points out that, "a sat-nav should aid your own navigational abilities rather than replace them." That's a good point to be sure, but what should a driver do to make sure their nav isn't giving them the high-tech shaft? Two-thirds of the drivers in the study keep an old-fashioned paper map in the car just in case.

[Source: National Post | Image: Chris Shunk/AOL]

Study: Men more likely to overrule GPS than women, still won't stop for directions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>navigationsat-navstudySwinton retail insuranceThu, 31 Mar 2011 13:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19896424/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/31/study-men-more-likely-to-overrule-gps-than-women-still-wont-s/19896424/article-detail.xml 19896424 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/navigation-system-ford_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/navigation-system-ford.jpg <![CDATA[Study: Traffic lights should respond to cars, not other way around]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/study-traffic-lights-should-respond-to-cars-not-other-way-arou/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/study-traffic-lights-should-respond-to-cars-not-other-way-arou/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/study-traffic-lights-should-respond-to-cars-not-other-way-arou/#commentsFiled under:

Traffic Light

Anyone who's sat at a red light for minutes on end in the middle of the night when there's no cross traffic can cheer on science for proving what we already knew: lights that adapt to the flow of traffic, instead of dictating the flow of traffic, can improve the flow of traffic. A team of researchers discovered that if you let lights locally decide how to time their signals based on how much traffic they're dealing with, and then communicate that with nearby lights, you get closer to the "green wave" of lights that keeps thing moving smoothly.

The issue with the centralized, top-down system of control is that it is geared to address an average traffic situation that rarely occurs as planned. The variations in rush hour traffic mean that lights are trying to apply one solution to a vast number of situations. In their trial in Dresden, Germany the team found that traffic congestion was eased by nine percent, pedestrian congestion by 36 percent, and bus and tram traffic by 56 percent. With rush hours spreading in time and distance, the proof and implementation of this can't come soon enough. Thanks for the tip, Toy!

[Source: Science News | Image: Corbis/Getty]

Study: Traffic lights should respond to cars, not other way around originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Red LightRedLightresearchRush HourRushHourSanta Fe InstituteSantaFeInstitutestudyTraffictraffic jamtraffic lightTrafficJamTrafficLightThu, 23 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19643752/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/23/study-traffic-lights-should-respond-to-cars-not-other-way-arou/19643752/article-detail.xml 19643752 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/roa0097.jpg-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/roa0097.jpg-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Shocking Study: Researchers find that men and women don't want the same thing (in cars)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/shocking-study-researchers-find-that-men-and-women-dont-want-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/shocking-study-researchers-find-that-men-and-women-dont-want-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/shocking-study-researchers-find-that-men-and-women-dont-want-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,



This just in: early reports inform us that water is, in fact, still wet. Also, the clever minds at CNW Market Research have discovered that an individual's personal tastes in a vehicle varies greatly depending on gender and age. Shocking, we know. According to the data, women typically base their purchases on rear visibility, cost, front visibility, remote side mirrors and side air bags, in that order. Well, the last three are tied, but pretty much in that order.

And what about guys? Brace yourself for some life-altering revelations. According to CNW, styling, horsepower, engine design, front visibility and the vehicle's sound system are the top five priorities for men. At least we can agree on that whole 'being able to see out of the front of the car' bit. And, judging from the photo above, perhaps we can all agree that the Shelby Cobra is pretty dang desirable.

Of course, the data does help to refute the notion that women are typically more emotional shoppers than men. Clearly, according to the CNW's data, testosterone is doing nothing to help us guys make well-informed automotive purchases. Why is that? According to AOL Autos, the answer may have plenty to do with guys simply trying to keep up with their friends in terms of, er, displacement. In an unrelated story, the sky may also be blue, researchers have discovered.

[Source: AOL Autos | Image: SI.com]

Shocking Study: Researchers find that men and women don't want the same thing (in cars) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Car Buyingcar shoppingCarBuyingCarShoppingCNW Market ResearchCNW Marketing ResearchCnwMarketingResearchCnwMarketResearchMennew carnew car buyersnew carsNewCarNewCarBuyersNewCarsPollResearchStudyWomenTue, 27 Jul 2010 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19565999/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/27/shocking-study-researchers-find-that-men-and-women-dont-want-t/19565999/article-detail.xml 19565999 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/danica-cobra_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/danica-cobra.jpg <![CDATA[Study: Most in-car arguments are over directions. No they aren't. Yes they are.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/21/study-most-in-car-arguments-are-over-directions-no-they-arent/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/21/study-most-in-car-arguments-are-over-directions-no-they-arent/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/21/study-most-in-car-arguments-are-over-directions-no-they-arent/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here's a handy piece of information to keep in mind the next time you hop into the car with your significant other. According to a study commissioned by Halfords - a UK car accessory company - 70 percent of those polled admitted to having an argument in a vehicle at least once a month. The biggest cause of friction behind the wheel? Navigation. More than 33 percent of responses said that directions, or the lack there of, are a regular point of contention between couples behind the wheel. A hefty 85 percent of those surveyed said that the clashes began when the driver refused to stop and ask for directions.

The solution? Pick up a GPS device, of course. The New York Times says that in a separate study in which 502 people were surveyed, around a quarter of women said that they weren't confident in their sense of direction. Only nine percent of guys said the same, even though 58 percent of men in the study admitted to using personal GPS. Take away the technological aid, mix in a little insecurity, a stressful situation and voila! Instant domestic discord. So cut your partner some slack during this road trip season - they just might repay the favor the next time you're at the helm.

[Source: The New York Times]

Study: Most in-car arguments are over directions. No they aren't. Yes they are. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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