Thirty-nine states have laws that ban texting while driving, but are they keeping us any safer? A new report casts doubt. USA Today conducted a survey of state police agencies, and found the laws are resulting, in some cases, in fewer than one ticket per day being issued.
According to the study: Tennessee state troopers have issued, on average, 24 tickets per month. Louisiana state police have issued an average of 18 tickets a month. Then there’s North Dakota. State police have only issued 117 citations since a texting-while-driving ban went into effect in August 2011, about six per month.
Some states with laws on the books aren’t even sure how many texting while driving tickets are being issued. Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia have no way of tracking such citations.
The AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index for 2012 found that 81 percent of drivers surveyed viewed texting while driving as “a very serious threat to safety.” Sill 35 percent of those surveyed had read a text and 27 percent had sent one while driving within the previous month.
In 2010 3,267 people died in distracted-driving-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In 2011, the most recent year for which numbers are available, the number rose to 3,331, a 1.92 percent increase.
Texting while driving may not be the worst distracted driving threat on roadways. A study released by the Erie Insurance Group looked at 65,000 fatal car crashes over the past two years. According to police reports, 10 percent overall were caused by distracted driving. Of those distracted driving deaths, the majority – 62 percent – were caused by a daydreaming driver.
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After releasing its picks for the Top 10 cars earlier this year, of which only two were from American brands, Consumer Reports released a separate list, made up of the best American cars in each category. The list includes sedans, sports cars, luxury vehicles and SUVs, among other segments.
While these cars all scored well in testing, it’s important to note that, within this list, some of the cars aren’t recommended for purchase by the publication due to their having poor or unknown long-term reliability.
Read on to see the best American cars.
Sticker Price: $25,170 – $28,455Invoice Price: $23,472 – $26,535Fuel Economy: 45 mpg City, 40 mpg Highway
The C-Max looks to compete with the Toyota Prius — the king of hybrids here in the U.S. The C-Max has a lot going for it: sportier looks, a more engaging drive and nice interior. In spite of those qualities, it still struggles to keep up with the Prius in sales.Research the Ford C-Max HybridFord C-Max Hybrid OverviewFord C-Max Hybrid PhotosFord C-Max Hybrid Local Dealer Price Quote
Sticker Price: $18,615Invoice Price: $17,358Fuel Economy: 26 mpg City, 36 mpg Highway
The latest iteration of the Ford Focus has been successful due to its sleek design, driving dynamics and fuel economy. Available in a wide variety of configurations, the Focus offers a lot of versatility as well. Consumer Reports like the Focus Sedan in its SE trim level.Research the Ford FocusFord Focus OverviewFord Focus Photos & VideoFord Focus SE Local Dealer Price Quote
Sticker Price: $29,950
Invoice Price: $28,303
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway
TheChevrolet Malibu in its top-of-the-line trim, LTZ, is the Consumer Reports pick for the best American midsize car, beating out competitors Ford Fusion and Chrysler 200. The Malibu gets a bit pricey at high trims, but comes with lots of comfort and tech features, as well as a more potent engine.
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Sticker Price: $35,905
Invoice Price: $33,930
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 29 mpg Highway
TheChevrolet Impala, which was redesigned for 2014, is one of the best large cars on the market, blowing away its American competition. The interior is great, especially in LTZ trim, with lots of comfort features and sound dampening. It’s also surprisingly fun to drive for such a big vehicle.
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Sticker Price: $69,900
Invoice Price: NA
Fuel Economy: 94 mpge City, 97 mpge Highway
TheTesla Model S, which is a luxury all-electric vehicle, has been winning award after award. It’s easy to see why. This groundbreaking car has a fantastic interior, sleek looks and a super sporty driving demeanor. Plus, there are no emissions. Unfortunately, it’s pricey and is not available everywhere yet.
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Sticker Price: $21,400
Invoice Price: $20,598
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg City, 35 mpg Highway
Simply put, theFord Fiesta ST is awesome. Affordable, crazy fun to drive and fuel efficient, this little hatchback is a heck of a lot of bang for the buck. It even beat out its bigger sibling, the Ford Focus ST, for the sports car pick on the Consumer Reports list.
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Sticker Price: $35,310 – $40,310
Invoice Price: $32,573 – $37,186
Fuel Economy: 15 mpg City, 26 mpg Highway
With its retro looks and burly 5.0-liter V8 engine, theFord Mustang GT embodies the golden years of Detroit muscle cars. The interior could use some TLC, but the car is still good enough to beat out its competitors — the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger — to take the best muscle car honors.
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Sticker Price: $29,100 – $30,850Invoice Price: $27,136 – $28,769Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway
The Ford Escape has been plagued by several recalls, but is still the best American small SUV, according to Consumer Reports. Handsome, versatile and, with the Titanium trim, loaded with features, it’s a pretty great choice for the CUV crowd.Research the Ford EscapeFord Escape OverviewFord Escape Photos & VideoFord Escape Titanium Local Dealer Price Quote
Sticker Price: $38,395
Invoice Price: $36,764
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
TheJeep Grand Cherokee’s combination of luxurious refinement and off-road prowess makes it a shoo-in for the best midsize SUV pick on the Consumer Reports list. The publication likes the Grand Cherokee in its Limited trim level with the powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine.
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Sticker Price: $36,195
Invoice Price: $34,615
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
TheDurango, which is the Consumer Reports pick for the best large SUV, is the best utility vehicle Dodge has manufactured in quite some time. With a refined interior, bold looks and tons of space inside, the Durango, especially in its Limited trim, beats out its American competitors like the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse.
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Sticker Price: $38,890 – $48,465
Invoice Price: $36,946 – $46,042
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
TheBuick Enclave is a solid seven- or eight-passenger luxury SUV with a spacious and comfortable interior, as well as a silky smooth ride. Consumer Reports picked it as the top American luxury SUV because of its luxurious driving demeanor and excellent safety features. To be frank, its American competition isn’t very good, which helps its rating.
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Sticker Price: $31,130
Invoice Price: $28,951
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
TheChevrolet Silverado is a burly, capable truck that can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. It edged out its competitors, the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 — which are both good trucks, as well — for top honors this year. Consumer Reports likes this truck best in its LT trim.
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Sticker Price: $30,765 – $41,995Invoice Price: $29,534 – $39,865Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
Considering the other American automakers don’t offer a minivan, the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan basically get this pick by default. All in all, though, they are great family vehicles, with comfy interiors and super high levels of versatility.Research the Chrysler Town & CountryChrysler Town & Country OverviewChrysler Town & Country Photos & InformationChrysler Town & Country Local Dealer Price Quote