For the past five years, drivers in New Jersey have had to combat red-light cameras. These electronic devices monitor intersections and track any moving violations – meaning that drivers caught running red lights could be fined after the fact. However, the program may soon be ending in the Garden State. 

The Governor Has Doubts
According to The Star-Ledger, the five-year pilot program for the cameras is set to expire in December, and there is very little support for a continuance. No bill has been introduced to extend the efforts, and even Gov. Chris Christie has expressed some doubts about signing off on the program. 

"I have concerns about it, and my inclination is not to continue it, but I haven't made any final decisions," Christie told the source at a news conference. 

Additionally, a number of other state representatives have spoken in opposition of the cameras. 

Problems With The Red-Light Program 
One of the reasons lawmakers may be opposed to continuing the red-light program is because of problems the cameras have encountered recently. Earlier in the year, a technical glitch in the system prevented tickets from being sent out for as many as 17,000 infractions across 17 towns, The Star-Ledger reported. As a result, motorists were not informed of potential fines. 

While this was just one extreme example of the problems with the program, it has resulted in quite a bit of backlash, and it could be one of the big arguments against the red-light cameras. 

Drivers Need To Stay Vigilant
Even if New Jersey does end its red-light camera program, drivers in the Garden State will still need to be aware of automated devices on the roads. Nearly half of states throughout the U.S. use red-light cameras, speed cameras or both, according to a separate article in The Star-Ledger – including many of New Jersey's surrounding regions, such as New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. 

While some lawmakers are campaigning to prevent other states from fining New Jersey residents for driving infractions caught on camera, any resolution is still off in the future. Until then, drivers will have to do their best to stay ahead of the law – starting with driving a safe car that is up-to-date with maintenance and safety features.

Motorists looking for a reliable used car should head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans on site, ensuring that drivers can find a model that meets all of their needs. 

You've done your research, saved your pennies and made your way to the dealership – you're ready to buy a car. But before you unite with your new baby and drive away, there's a crucial step you should take. One of the final items on your pre-purchase checklist should be getting your new ride inspected. You may consider an independent inspection to be another unwanted and unnecessary expense, but even the newest models and most reliable vehicles can be prone to unseen issues and one-off maintenance problems. Thus it's important to consider your mechanic's inspection as an investment toward your future with your car.

Know the procedure
AutoTrader noted the dealer likely won't make mention of an independent inspection, which means the onus is on you to get the ball rolling. You have to not only let the dealer know that you'll be ordering an inspection, but you also have to make the appointment to have the car looked at yourself. Fortunately, the source assured that your job as a buyer stops once you set everything up. After scheduling with the mechanic or garage to look at your prospective purchase, they'll follow up with a full report when they've completed their job. 

What you're looking for
Do you know what sorts of things you should be on the lookout for before signing on the dotted line? The standard vehicle inspection covers anywhere from 50 to 100 points, according to consumer blog Angie's List. This refers to the number of areas of the car's functionality that are examined, so a 100-point inspection will look at more than a 50- or 75-point variety. 

Of course, 100 points is a lot of ground to cover, but in general there are a few key areas that almost all mechanics will look at. According to AutoGuide, brakes, radiators, coolant and suspension are all likely candidates for close pre-purchase scrutiny, as these are some of the most important parts for your car's continued operation. But as a buyer you should also familiarize yourself with an overview of what's covered and, more importantly, what won't be covered, so you can make sure to fill in any gaps yourself. For example, the source noted that many inspections don't look at the condition of the car's body, but it's a good idea for you to be on the lookout for rust or other signs of damage or neglect.

If you're looking to buy a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you afford the vehicle that's right for you.

If you've spent any length of time shopping for a car, you likely know that it can be a complicated process. Unlike other purchases, you wouldn't necessarily just show up to a dealership and buy a car on the spot. A new ride is a big investment, and a car's value can be subject to any number of factors, from the age of the vehicle to its history to what time of year you're shopping.

While there may not be an exact science to making the most of your car-buying experience, there are a few tips to keep in mind when you're ready to head to the lot.

Summer loving
The warmer months of the year are good for more than just beaches and barbecues – evidence indicates that summer may be the best time to spark a love with a new set of wheels as well. According to TrueCar, August tends to see the lowest transaction prices for car-buyers, meaning motorists may want to consider adding one more item to their back-to-school shopping lists. This may seem arbitrary, but there's a reason for the price drop. The source indicated that many manufacturers tend to rotate their model seasons toward the end of the summer. As a result, shoppers are likely to have better luck finding a less expensive buy in last year's models as the newer vehicles roll onto the lot.

Daily deals
There may be evidence to indicate that you should check your calendar before heading out to shop for a car – not only can the month you look influence price, but the day of the week may as well. In general, according to TrueCar, Sundays tend to yield the best results if you're looking to save money on a purchase. Data found that average transactions tended to be around $2,000 cheaper on Sunday than on Friday, which was the most expensive day to purchase a vehicle.

Another interesting point is that Black Friday, the unofficial national day of shopping and consumerism, is a prime time for motorists to find a bargain as well. Time magazine, citing data from TrueCar, pointed to November 25, 2011, as an example, with dealers offering an average 9.5 percent discount off of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for many models.

If you're ready to shop for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team to help qualify you for a loan.

Everyone likes to think of themselves as safe drivers. After all, many of us get into our cars every day without incident. But the fact remains that driving requires a focus on safety. Regardless of any individual's skill behind the wheel, there are some conditions that are inherently more dangerous than others. Knowing where danger can come from may help keep both you and your passengers safe.

When you're going fast
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, speeding is one of the major contributing factors when rollovers are involved. In fact, the foundation's data reported that 75 percent of rollover accidents resulting in death took place on rural roads with a 55-mph speed limit or higher. 

Of course, that's not to say that speed is bad and you should never travel fast – in fact, keeping your speed low on highways can actually increase danger. In fact, Esurance noted that some states administer traffic tickets for driving too slowly that are actually more expensive than speeding tickets. However, drivers must recognize the added danger of traveling at higher speeds.

When it's dark outside
Nighttime is much more dangerous for drivers than the daytime. According to data from the National Safety Council, Traffic death rates are three times as high at night as they are during the day. Conditions are worsened due to reduced visibility. Interesting to note is that around 66 percent of nighttime traffic fatalities affected people who weren't properly buckled up.

In a similar vein, weekends tend to be more dangerous statistically, Forbes stated. However, while nighttime accidents are often due to a lack of visibility, weekend crashes are a result of simply more cars being on the road.

Making things safer
Just because certain conditions can be more dangerous doesn't mean that drivers should avoid them completely. In fact, there are quite a few steps that can be taken to keep everyone safe. The biggest and most important thing any motorist can do is drive with greater awareness of his or her surroundings. Use safety measure like seatbelts and, above all, eliminate distractions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was quick to point out that cellphone use can reduce driver focus by as much as 37 percent, making talking or texting on the road one of the most dangerous things you can do. The flip side, of course, is that it's quite simple to eliminate this major safety risk by simply not using your phone while behind the wheel.

If you're shopping for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team dedicated to helping you finance the vehicle that's right for you.

If you've ever owned a car before, you'll know that occasional repairs are inevitable. Even if you treat your car as well as it treats you, you're going to find yourself in the mechanic's garage every now and then. While nobody likes it when their car goes on the fritz, understanding what some of these more commonly performed maintenance tasks are may help to ease your mind the next time you hear a rattle or feel a bump that shouldn't be there.

Oil change
One of the most common maintenance tasks is also one of the most basic. Almost everyone knows the importance of changing your car's oil on a regular basis, but what you may is why it's so important. As Car Talk reminded, motor oil lubricates the important parts of your engine that do much of the work when it comes to moving your car. If left to sit for too long, dirty or insufficient oil leaves your engine poorly lubricated, causing it to grind against itself. In layman's terms, this is setting you up for some serious repair costs down the road, so make sure to keep your oil in check.

Fuel pump
You make sure to put gas in your car when needed, but your vehicle's fuel system requires more maintenance than that. Fuel filters can clog, especially if you use lower-grade gas, Autos.com said. Also, if you're a driver who likes to get every last gallon out of the tank before filling up, be warned. If you make a habit of driving on less than one-quarter tank of gas often enough, you can damage your fuel pump, which may need to be repaired or replaced if the clog is significant.

Brakes
When it comes to safety, there may be few more important vehicle components than your brakes. Fortunately, while you should have your brakes checked fairly regularly, repairs tend to be fairly simple. According to Autos.com, brake pad replacement constitutes the most common type of repair in this area, as the pads will commonly wear down due to regular use. The good news is, this is a fairly standard procedure, and won't shoulder you with a massive bill either. Even better, keeping on top of your brake pad replacement can help prolong the life of other, more costly brake components that you wouldn't be so happy to have to replace.

If your car needs repairs, head to the NJ State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center. The knowledgeable team of mechanics can help diagnose problems, and can perform any needed  maintenance to keep your car on the road.

There's little doubt that with the advent of cars in modern society, everything changed. From travel to leisure, our lives have been forever shaped by the introduction of these complex and convenient machines. But the history of the car's development is long and speckled with individual triumphs and astounding firsts that are worthy of recognition in their own right. Here are some of automotive history's grandest, if lesser-known, landmark firsts.

First mass-produced car
While Henry Ford is often credited as the father of modern automobiles with the Model T assembly line, he actually wasn't the first to the table in the auto production game. In fact, Auto Evolution pointed out that car manufacturer Oldsmobile was actually mass-producing cars a full seven years before the early runs of the Model T. In April 1901, the curved-dash Olds began seeing "mass production" – defined at the time as more than 10 cars per week, each selling for $650.

First cross-country road trip
Summer road-trippers may not be surprised to learn that the cross-country drive has been around almost as long as cars have. According to Jalopnik, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewall K. Crocker set out in 1903 to drive from San Francisco to New York, bulldog in tow. The stalwart trio managed to make the nearly 2,600-mile journey before anyone else, despite only 150 of those miles being driven on paved roads.

First commercial car radio
The emergence of the car radio is more of a spectrum than a single event. Esurance estimated that the first radio was attributed to an 18-year-old who, in 1922, simply strapped a portable radio to the door of his car. However, it wasn't until eight years later when Motorola brought its 5T71 radio to cars on the consumer market. In fact, the company's name itself is an homage to this early endeavor – Motorola being a portmanteau of "motor" and "victrola."

First air-conditioned car
Anyone who's taken refuge in the cool embrace of their car's air conditioning in the summer months will appreciate this first. As Popular Mechanics reported, air conditioning has been around in some form or other for a couple centuries, but it wasn't until 1939 that motorists got to cool off on the go with an in-car version. Developed by car company Packard, the invention cooled down drivers but did little else. It didn't allow for dashboard temperature adjustment, and if you wanted to turn it off, you had to shut off the car's engine, pop the hood and manually disconnect the air conditioning from there.

If you're looking for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help make your vehicle affordable.

The hot summer sun is a welcome arrival for those looking to spend their days outside, but it can also be dangerous. Anyone who's stepped into their car on a summer day knows just how hot they can get when left in the sun. Unfortunately, some people still leave pets or even children alone in overheated vehicles, sometimes with tragic results. Whether planning a road trip or simply heading out for groceries, be aware of the dangers of leaving loved ones in the back seat in the hot sun.

The problem is heating up
It may seem unthinkable, but the fact is that drivers leaving pets and children in the back seat while they run errands is more common that you'd think. Even if you're just planning on stepping inside a store for a few minutes, the heat building inside your car can be deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that parents leaving their kids in parked cars for too long resulted in 19 heat-related fatalities in 2014. To help combat this threat and raise awareness, the NHTSA launched National Heatstroke Prevention Day July 31 to remind parents of the dangers they and their youngsters face. 

According to SafeCar.gov, a child is susceptible to a fatal heatstroke reaction once his or her temperature reaches 107 degrees Fahrenheit – and parents may be shocked to learn that car interior temperatures can rise to these dangerous levels even on relatively mild days in the 60s or 70s. 

Awareness is cool
Preventing such tragic occurrences is often as simple as taking an extra moment of awareness before heading inside. Drivers are urged to remind themselves of their child in the back seat – consider leaving your purse or wallet in the back seat, which will require you to check the rear of your car when you leave. One mother commissioned the creation of a smartphone app called Kars4Kids – an app that sends a reminder to your phone when you leave a child waiting in the car for you. Regardless of how quick you think a jaunt into the dry cleaner's will be, cars can heat up at an alarming rate, and in today's world with parents balancing more on-the-go tasks than ever, it's easy to lose track of who's waiting for you, and for how long.

For your pre-owned vehicle needs, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help approve you for a financing plan to make your choice of vehicle affordable.

The act of buying a car is relatively simple – you save up the money, head to the dealership, and sign your contract. But keeping track of what happens after you drive off the lot can be a lot more confusing. Unlike most other things we buy, cars don't have just one price tag – the price you pay on the lot is seldom the price that will be important when it comes time to sell, for example. Understanding the basics of what you can expect to pay as a car owner, as well as how your vehicle's value will change over its lifespan, is important to hassle-free car ownership.

The difference between price and cost of ownership
Just because your car carries a lower sticker price, that doesn't mean you'll necessarily end up paying less for it, especially in the long run. This is because regardless of what you pay to purchase a car, its actual cost of ownership must be considered separately. According to Kelley Blue Book, the five-year cost to own is a value that takes into account factors such as maintenance costs, fuel and insurance, along with the standard car payments, to give you a clearer picture of what you can reasonably expect to pay. So even though you found a great deal on a car, you'll want to do your research to make sure you won't actually end up paying more later.

Know what's up when the value goes down
You may have heard that your car is an investment, but what exactly does that mean? Simply put, what you pay for won't necessarily be what your wheels are worth when it's time to trade in. In fact, the value of a vehicle typically depreciates quickly in just a few years, so be prepared for that when it's trade-in time.

Interestingly, USA Today noted that on occasion the value of a used car can actually appreciate, or go up. Though as the source reported, this is largely due to environmental and economic factors and shouldn't typically be expected. As a final hot tip: pickup trucks and similar utility vehicles tend to hold on to their value far more than luxury cars or other feature-laden models.

When shopping for a new car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team to help you afford the used car, truck or van of your choice.

Summer is here, and what better way to celebrate the season than to hit the road and treat yourself to a tour of some of the finest examples of America's natural beauty? Road trips are a popular pastime for drivers of all ages. Whether you're planning a trip to a specific destination or simply looking for an enjoyable summer drive, here are a few ideas to get both your sense of adventure and your car motor revving. 

The beach
Few things say summer like the beach. Even if you're not into sand and sunburns, the smell of ocean air through a car window as you buzz down a highway is an attraction in its own right. Fortunately, the U.S. is chock full of beaches that are ripe for the exploring, and depending on how adventurous you're feeling, you can pretty much have your pick. While Florida and California have some particularly famous and sought-after stretches of sand, those who want to stay a little closer to home will have plenty to look forward to – Atlantic City, New Jersey, remains a popular beachside tourist destination and features a great atmosphere.

If you're looking for something a bit less touristy and a bit more low-key, the Northeastern U.S. has you covered. Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a famous beachside community that you can reach in less than 10 hours from new Jersey, making it a fun weekend getaway. Cape May, New Jersey, provides a local version of the quiet beach getaway, just a short trek downstate from Asbury Park. In fact, Asbury is itself an ideal shore destination for those interested in its rich and historic music scene.

The nature route
If you want to enjoy the country's natural beauty but prefer to stay nearer to dry land, Travel And Leisure recommended heading through upstate New York along U.S. Route 9. Taking drivers through Poughkeepsie, New York, and eventually winding up through the state of Delaware  and terminating at the Canadian border, this 300-mile stretch of highway is blooming with trees and colorful flowers, not to mention numerous farmers markets that crop up in the warmer weather.

For an added bit of history, keep your eyes peeled for some high-profile real estate, such as the famous Vanderbilt Mansion, which sits along the highway as you pass through Hyde Park, New York.

To find the perfect used car for your dream road trip this summer, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a dedicated in-house finance team to help make your used car affordable for you.

The U.S. is a country that was practically founded on the ideals of embracing the highway. From the frontier-taming days of the early pioneers to the cross-country treks many of us make every year, the road trip is practically an American institution. With summer in full swing, road trip season is gearing up, and many car enthusiasts and travel junkies will find themselves hitting the road to pay homage to the classic roadways on which the country was built. Many of the nation's famous highways are iconic landmarks in their own right, and all you gas pedal pilgrims out there may find it worthwhile to plan your trips to be able to spend some quality time with these famous roadways.

Route 66
No list of classic American highways would be complete without Route 66, perhaps the most famous and revered stretch of U.S. pavement. Informally dubbed The Mother Road, construction of this 2,000-mile two-lane​ road began in 1926 as a means to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, Smarter Travel reported. Completed 16 years later, the nation's first superhighway offered more than just a scenic drive for road trip enthusiasts – it was both a literal and a metaphorical connection between the American Midwest and California, a symbol of unity and a celebration of the frontier spirit that built America. Travel And Leisure recommended the stretch between the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, a path which will wind you through mountains and desert plateaus for an unparalleled glimpse of the nation's natural beauty.

Blue Ridge Parkway
On the east coast of the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway connects two of the region's most breathtaking natural parks – Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. As Forbes indicated, this nearly 80-year-old highway spans 450 miles, taking drivers on a tour of the scenic vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as the surrounding valleys, foothills and rural farmlands. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of busy urban bypasses or major interstate highways, the Parkway is a perfect road for you to experience a meditative connection between yourself, your car and the road you're traveling.

When you're shopping for a high-quality used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team dedicated to helping you make the used car, truck or van of your choice affordable.