Choosing the right car for a new driver is tricky. On one hand, you want to make sure they have all the features they need to stay safe on the roads, but you also don't want to have them be easily distracted by technology and infotainment systems. Then there's the price factor – insurance rates are already higher for these young motorists, and no one wants to fork over a ton of cash when teens are just getting started in the world of driving. 

For teens, certain factors matter
The British Medical Journal conducted a study on teen drivers on U.S. roads, focusing on the circumstances of dangerous crashes. Published online in the journal Injury Prevention, the results of the report showed that larger cars tend to be safer for teens. Pickup trucks and large SUVs were involved in fewer fatal crashes than their smaller counterparts. 

Similarly, cars with updated safety features were also more secure for young drivers. Amenities such as electronic stability control, rear-view cameras and side airbags were all found to be extremely advantageous in reducing the risk or severity of a crash. These features aren't limited to brand new cars, either. In fact, buyers can find some lightly used cars with these tools. 

"Larger, heavier vehicles generally provide much better crash protection than smaller, lighter ones," the researchers wrote. "Newer vehicles generally are also more likely to have better crash test ratings and important safety features such as ESC and side airbags. Parents may benefit from consumer information about vehicle choices that are both safe and economical." 

Finding the right fit
Buying a car with top-notch safety features doesn't have to be a huge blow to your bank account. At New Jersey State Auto Auction, for example, shoppers can browse hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars – most of which can be bid on and had for affordable prices. 

Of course, it's also important to teach teens the rules of the road – and the limitations of their car – so they can avoid accidents altogether. Provide new drivers with plenty of time to get used to their ride and its features. Once they know how to work different aspects of the car, these tools are less likely to cause distractions or problems on the roads. 

The next few weeks will be filled with holiday parties, New Year's bashes and plenty of revelry. In a perfect world, these gatherings would take place nearby – or perhaps even in your own home – but in reality, you've probably got to travel for at least one of these parties. When you're on the roads in these upcoming weeks, keep a few simple driving tips in mind to stay safe and secure. 

Get in the holiday spirit
One of the easiest ways to stay safe on the roads is to be nice to others. Aggressive or hotheaded drivers can cause serious problems. Rather than put yourself in the bullseye, practice defensive driving and share the holiday spirit with others. Let drivers merge ahead of you, don't cut in front of cars and be conscious of blind spots you may be encroaching on. This will help you steer clear of potentially dangerous motorists. 

Turn your lights on
There are many types of drivers on the roads during the holidays, so make sure you are visible to all of them. Use your headlights often, even if you don't think it's that dark or difficult to see. Fellow drivers could have worse vision, more distractions or numerous other obstructions, and by following this tip, you can make it easier for these motorists to identify your car. 

Get an auto tune-up 
Never underestimate the power a tune-up can have on your car's status. Instead of blindly pulling out onto the roads, head to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto. There, a professional can scope out your car and make sure it's ready to safely navigate the roads. This garage caters to the public and can address any issues you may have. 

Stay connected
Even if your car has been cleared by an expert, there's still a chance you could get hung up by weather or incidents with other drivers. It's important to be in a position to calmly and quickly react to these situations. AAA recommended drivers have emergency contact information on hand and easily accessible. Good phone numbers to have include some kind of roadside assistance and friend or family member who can provide a lift if necessary. Additionally, drivers should have an adaptable cellphone charger ready to go in their vehicles. In the event of an accident, a dead phone isn't much use, so make sure you're ready to communicate at all times. 

By now, you've already heard a ton of information about who is traveling this holiday season. You've probably thought of the millions of extra drivers on the roads and shrugged it off, thinking that it's not much of a problem in your neck of the woods. But that's where you could be wrong. New Jersey and the surrounding states could be right in the middle of some heavy holiday travel. 

New Jersey residents get moving
AAA Mid-Atlantic projected that a lot of travelers will be coming from New Jersey. According to the organization's data, about 2.4 million residents are expected to get behind the wheel and drive 50 miles or more for the holidays. If that estimation is accurate, it would be a 4.4 percent increase over 2013. 

The holiday travel season runs from Tuesday, Dec. 23, to Sunday, Jan. 4, encompassing the nearly two-week span around Christmas and New Year's. That's good news for travelers, as it means they have plenty of chances to find off-peak or less congested times to drive. 

"It's going to be crowded," Tracy Noble, the spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, told NJ.com. "But we need to keep in mind that this year's holiday travel season lasts 13 days, so it's going to be spread out."

Mapping routes through NJ 
Not only are a lot of NJ locals getting ready for road trips, but the state is also prepping for many motorists to come through. Because of its location and low gas prices, it's an attractive stop for many out-of-towners. This will add to congestion on the roads, but it shouldn't be a negative unless you wind up stuck behind a slow-moving stranger who doesn't know where they're going. 

"We will see more people coming through our state because New Jersey is a corridor state," Nobel told NJ.com. "And they will be filing up at our gas stations."

Be smart about road trips
No matter where you're going, you can protect yourself by being smart about your choices. Start by getting a tune-up to make sure every part of the car is capable of working smoothly throughout a trip.

If you think even that maintenance won't help your existing vehicle get up to snuff, consider shopping for used cars and speeding up the buying process with a trip to NJ State Auto Auction. This lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars – many of which are available to buy the same day. An in-house financing team is on hand to help sort out credit and loan issues, allowing you to get in a car and on the road quickly. 

With so many people ready to get behind the wheel for road trips this winter, it's only natural that there may be some hiccups along the way. However, some of the obstacles drivers encounter are likely avoidable – they just chose not to take the proactive measures to protect themselves. 

Drivers act smart before road trips
There are some motorists who are doing their best to avoid becoming a cautionary tale on the roads. The Rubber Manufacturers Association recently conducted a survey to see what these drivers are taking care of before long trips. According to the study, the majority of people – about 54 percent – check their tire pressure prior to leaving on a road trip. This helps avoid lost fuel efficiency or subpar driving performance. About one-fourth also conducted a quick tread check to make sure their tire grip was adequate. 

"We're encouraged that more than half of holiday road trippers are taking steps to be tire smart and check tire pressure," said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president of public affairs. "But all motorists should be checking tire pressure before every long trip. Fully loaded vehicles packed with people, luggage and holiday gifts that ride on under-inflated tires present a safety issue." 

A few other maintenance actions were common as well. About 51 percent of motorists sprung for an oil change before road trips, and another 41 percent had the brakes checked. However, 15 percent had nothing done, and that puts them and their cars at risk. 

Easy safety tips 
The RMA had a few other recommendations that drivers should take note of, specifically with regard to tire care. For instance, the organization suggested drivers take out the owner's manual to see what the optimal tire pressure is. That way, they'll have a baseline to compare readings to when measuring before long trips. Motorists should also pay attention to the temperature – if there are any wild weather swings or big plunges, it could be smart to give the tires an extra examination. 

If you're not sure what needs to be done on your ride, don't be afraid to seek some help from the professionals. The Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction, for instance, caters to the public and can address any issues you may have. Just one appointment could save you a lot of time and money by avoiding costly repairs in the middle of your trip. 

Are you heading somewhere other than your own home for the holidays? There's a good chance you are – at least according to the latest figures from AAA. The organization recently released a report detailing the end-of-year travel forecast. 

Who's traveling? 
AAA estimated that 98.6 million Americans are going away from home for the holidays. These travelers aren't going down the street either, as this figure represents those who are journeying more than 50 miles away from home. Additionally, about 91 percent of these people will be driving to their destinations, translating to almost 90 million people on the roads from Dec. 23 to Jan. 4, according to the report. 

The organization noted that the travel volume will be the highest since 2001, when AAA began recording the data. Much of that is due to low gas prices, relatively affordable used car rates and the rebounding economy. 

"'Tis the season for holiday travel, and this year more Americans will join with friends and family to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year than ever before," said Marshall Doney, AAA president and chief operating officer. "While the economy continues to improve at an uneven pace, it seems more Americans are looking forward with increasing consumer confidence, rather than looking back at the recession. This is helping to drive expected travel volumes to the highest level we have seen for the year-end holidays."

Who gets stopped? 
There are many reasons why you may find your road trip sidetracked. Among the most common is car breakdowns – and those incidents will impact a fair number of drivers this winter. AAA estimated that it will have to aid more than 1.1 million drivers during the holiday season. Although some of these motorists will run into unavoidable circumstances, others may have breakdowns that could have been prevented. 

Before you head out on the highway, schedule an appointment with NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. This garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have, even if it's just some simple preventative maintenance. The experts can make sure you have peace of mind – and a capable vehicle – before your journey begins. 

Once you take the leap and decide to buy a used car of your own, you're going to want to take care of it. It's important to take the right steps at all times of the year, but it can be especially imperative to conduct maintenance in winter. As the end of the calendar year approaches, make sure you are doing all you can to protect your car from common dangers. 

Protect it from the elements
The first thing you have to do is get your car prepped for extreme weather. Instead of just winging it this winter, take a few precautions. Start by having a stocked emergency kit and spare tire ready to go in case of emergency. You should also have the vehicle washed and waxed. The right wax can act as a sealant, keeping harmful moisture and debris away from your car's paint and body. Even if you have this barrier, you should invest in regular washes. Road salt can easily get on the body of your ride and speed up the rusting process. Washing the layers of grime away will remove the particles before they do any damage. 

Protect it from others
Unfortunately, there are some unsavory people out there who may want to get their hands on your ride. To prevent these criminals from making you a target, be sure you are taking advantage of a few practices that can deter car thieves. Start by always parking in well-lit areas. Avoid pulling your car in next to dumpsters, greenery or large trucks as well, as these can obstruct your view of the vehicle and provide cover for criminals. It's also a good idea to hide any valuables, whether they're navigation devices, recent purchases or holiday gifts, so you don't unwittingly make yourself a target. 

Protect it from yourself
Your own actions play a major role in how your car performs and ages. Instead of leaving the fate of your ride up to chance, schedule an appointment at NJ State Auto's Total Car Care Center. The experts there can address any issues you may have and make sure your car is running at an optimum level. If you ignore the necessary maintenance, however, you could be putting your vehicle at serious risk for costly problems in the near future. 

Unless you plan on being a Scrooge this year, you've probably got something planned for the holidays. And if you're like millions of other Americans, there's a good chance you're driving to get to those festivities. With a lot of traffic on the horizon, one company set out to discover some details about who will be on the roads. 

More people are ready to drive
DMEautomotive recently surveyed drivers to find just how many are getting behind the wheel this holiday season. According to its report, more than one-third of people have already decided to drive to their destination, and another 16 percent haven't made the final decision but could be driving. 

Of those who have chosen to use a car as their mode of transportation, nearly 80 percent will be using their own vehicles, while others will be renting. Additionally, about half of the expected drivers are going to rack up more than 400 miles round trip. About 1 in 6 will be taking on journeys of 1,000 miles or more.

Don't be unprepared
If there's one thing drivers stressed in their responses, it's that they were taking the winter weather seriously. The overwhelming majority reported that they would be investing in some type of tune-up before traveling. Some of the most important tasks include measuring tire pressure, cleaning out a car to create more space and double-checking the necessary fluids. The survey also showed that many people are using holiday travels as a reminder to get some routine maintenance done, such as getting an oil change, rotating tires or examining the spare tire. 

"We are pleased to see that consumers are taking care to ensure their vehicles are ready to hit the road," said Mary Sheridan, Ph.D., of DMEautomotive. "Auto service centers should take note: 90 percent of these travelers plan some pre-trip vehicle prep, including oil changes, fluid and tire checks, and, for more than one-third of those driving over 600 miles, a full vehicle inspection." 

Let the pros help
Fortunately, New Jersey State Auto Auction can help with many of your holiday needs. The Total Car Care Center, for instance, is ideal for getting a tune-up before the festivities begin. Our experts can address any issues your car may have, giving you the peace of mind you need to complete your journey. 

Are you considering buying a used car? If so, then there's a good chance your head is spinning thinking about all of the options at your fingertips. There is good news, however: All you have to do is take a deep breath and focus on a few key areas when you're browsing. 

The next time you shop around for used cars, keep an eye out for these five qualities that may impact your decision. 

1. Mileage 
Mileage is one of the first things people look at in a potential ride, and with good reason. It provides insight into the wear and tear a vehicle has gone through, while also outlining expected longevity and maintenance. 

2. Driving performance
How a car drives is also an important aspect you must consider. If the vehicle doesn't drive in a way you like, then it's probably not a good investment. In addition to taking a test drive of the individual vehicle you're looking at, research a few reviews of the model from professionals and owners. That will give you an idea of any recurring issues. 

3. Safety features
You don't realize how important a car's safety features are until you need them. That's why it's essential to scope out the features present in a used car. Crash test ratings can provide a look at how it'll perform in an emergency, but you should also check out any crash-prevention features to make sure they're still functioning. 

4. Low operating costs
The sticker price on a used car probably gets most of your attention, but if you're under a tight budget, there are more expenses you need to consider. Take a look at the cost to fill the gas tank, complete routine maintenance tasks and acquire replacement parts.  

5. Outside appearance
You can't judge a book by its cover, and the same can be said of used cars. However, that doesn't mean you should ignore the exterior of a vehicle entirely. Look for rust spots, which may indicate decay, or random dents and scratches. These should match up with any incidents on the vehicle history report so you know they've been cared for. 

You can check out cars with these qualities – and much more – at NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of used cars available on the lot, this facility is the place to be if you're ready to buy on a budget.