Drivers can take many precautions as they prepare for driving in winter conditions, but one of the most effective is simply obeying the rules of the road. Most people are aware of the basic practices they should be following, but some of these methods may have to be tweaked to accommodate icy surfaces, poor visibility, slow speeds and other side effects of winter weather. 

Before setting out on the roads, drivers should make sure their headlights, defroster and windshield wipers are operating effectively. These tools are essential for maintaining good sightlines, regardless of the outside factors, so knowing you have them operating at a high level is extremely important. 

Once those features have been taken care of, drivers should brush up on their road etiquette. Simple actions like mapping out a route beforehand and properly cleaning off a car are the first steps, as these actions allow motorists to avoid distractions and focus on the task at hand.

It's also necessary to drive slowly and remain cognizant of other drives' blind spots. Additionally, leaving enough space between vehicles so you can come to a full stop and avoid collisions should be prioritized. 

"One of the largest driving concerns during times of cold weather is that of following distances," said Don Logan, of the American Trucking Associations. "When the roads are slick, your normal following distance needs to double in length for snow and triple in length for icy conditions." 

To best prepare for winter, you should bring your vehicle in for a tune up. Consider scheduling an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The professionals at this garage are able to address any issues you may have, allowing you to feel safe and confident as you handle all kinds of winter conditions. 

People may be confident in their driving abilities, but that doesn't mean there are not subpar motorists on the roads. Whether they are frequently distracted behind the wheel or simply have the need for speed, they can put themselves and others at risk. To determine where these individuals are the most condensed, the website Car Insurance Comparison analyzed data from Allstate Insurance to pinpoint which state boasts the worst drivers. 

The study looked at tickets handed out for speeding, careless driving, failure to obey traffic signals and seat belt laws, drunk driving and more. Those numbers were then compared to each state's total population to find the highest percentage of offenses. 

Louisiana topped the list for poor driving, landing in the top five for most speeding tickets, careless driving citations and stops for failure to obey. It was closely followed by South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama, all of which also ranked highly for bad drivers. 

Conversely, the states with the lowest percentage of traffic violations include Vermont, Utah, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Oregon. New York and New Jersey landed in the middle of the pack, coming in at No. 22 and No. 32, respectively, despite having a reputation for poor drivers. Although these predominantly city drivers may be aggressive on the roads, they mostly stay within the confines of the law. 

Bad drivers can be found anywhere, which makes the need for a safe, dependable vehicle incredibly important. At NJ State Auto Auction, you can browse through an expensive selection of top-notch used cars, many of which offer excellent safety features. These CARFAX-certified options represent a wide range of styles and models, providing every kind of driver with something that will meet their needs. 

A recent study from AAA found that two out of every three drivers have used a cellphone within the past month. However, the regular usage of a mobile device behind the wheel varied greatly depending on the age of the driver. 

Only about 20 percent of motorists ages 16 to 18 reported being on their phone "fairly often," compared to more than 43 percent of drivers ages 25 to 39. When asked if they had used a phone at least once, about 58 percent of teens said they had. That was significantly lower than drivers ages 25 to 39, of which about 82 percent reported using a device. 

Most of these slightly older drivers likely felt more comfortable controlling a car, and believed that texting or making a phone call wasn't as dangerous as a result. Unfortunately, that confidence can sometimes be misplaced, as those motorists who get distracted by technology are four times more likely to be involved in a crash, AAA reported. 

"It's noteworthy that the young novice drivers are using their phones while driving less than older drivers since, given their inexperience, they are especially susceptible to distracted driving crashes," said Peter Kissinger, president of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "At the same time, it is discouraging that cell phone usage picks up when drivers gain more experience, as using a phone can lead to dangerous distractions behind the wheel." 

When your teen is ready to start driving, you're going to want to make sure they have a car that is safe and functional. The perfect place to search is at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, many of which can serve as the ideal vehicle for those young motorists just beginning to drive. 

It's no secret that the holidays are a busy time of year, especially for people who plan on traveling. A record number of Americans are expected to get behind the wheel to reach their destinations this year, and with so many people on the highways, all motorists should be aware of what to expect to ensure their safety. 

AAA estimates that approximately 85.8 million people will travel more than 50 miles by car this holiday season. That marks an increase of almost 1 percent over last year, and it is the fifth consecutive year the number of road trippers has grown. This constitutes the vast majority of travelers as well, making up about 91 percent of all people trekking more than 50 miles during the end of the year. 

Many travelers are eager to drive because of the low price of gas. The average cost of a gallon of gas has been dropping steadily throughout the year, and even though there has been a slight uptick in recent weeks, it is still considerably lower than a year ago – and much cheaper than airfare. 

Of all of the motorists getting behind the wheel, AAA predicts it will be called to help about 3.76 million stranded drivers. Problems like flat tires, dead batteries and lockouts are likely to be the most common issues facing motorists, but more significant accidents will occur as well. Although it may be impossible to avoid some issues, drivers should still take preventative measures to keep their automobile functioning at a high level. 

Before you head out on a road trip this holiday season, make sure you get your car looked at to ensure its safety and capability. The Total Car Care Center at NJ Auto Auction can address any issues you may have. 

Drivers have to be aware of many issues when they're on the road, but the problems don't end when their car is parked. Vehicle thefts are a very real problem, and motorists should be taking steps to prevent this problem from arising. This even extends to holidays. A recently released study from the National Crime Information Center and the National Insurance Crime Bureau looked at trends in stolen vehicle reports across 11 major U.S. holidays and celebrations in 2012. 

According to the data, the worst day for thefts was New Year's Day. More than 2,220 cars were reported stolen Jan. 1, which edged out days like Labor Day, New Year's Eve and Memorial Day. However, this still was not as bad as other days throughout the year. There were 64 other dates that had more vehicles stolen, with the highest numbers recorded June 1, July 23 and Aug. 1. 

The best holiday with regard to vehicle thefts was Christmas, when only 1,432 cars were reported stolen. That was just ahead of Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving, which were the next-lowest days on the list. The Dec. 25 holiday boasted the lowest car theft total of any day in 2012, holiday or otherwise. 

In total, the number of vehicles stolen on the 11 holidays in 2012 reached 21,325. That is a 2.5 percent increase over 2011, when 20,800 automobiles were reported stolen on the same days. 

Whether you find yourself the victim of a car theft or simply want to take preventative measures to avoid the situation, you should consider heading to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot boasts hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, many of which offer advanced technology and great features that could enhance your driving experience. 

Owning a car can be expensive, which is why so many motorists take steps to reduce the cost of purchasing and operating a vehicle. One of the easiest ways to do this is by choosing a used car, as you can find excellent value and high quality without busting your budget. Another way to reduce the bottom line is by carpooling. 

According to Edmunds.com, carpools offer plenty of advantages to everyone involved. For one, they frequently save time, as groups can use the high-occupancy vehicle lanes, which typically have fewer cars than others. In addition to time, carpools also saved all participants money. AAA reported that one-third of drivers involved in a carpool did so to cut back on fuel costs, and when those savings were combined with things like depreciation and maintenance expenses, car owners recouped thousands of dollars per year. 

The New Jersey Department of Transportation recommends carpooling as a way to reduce costs, vehicle wear and tear, and stress. With so many drivers commuting in and out of New York City each day, as well as to other nearby metro areas, there are plenty of opportunities to share the burden of driving and save yourself time, money and aggravation in the process. 

When you need a vehicle that is capable of handling multiple passengers, whether they are friends, family members or coworkers, you may have to invest in a used car. Luckily, places like the New Jersey State Auto Auction are well equipped to meet your needs. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified used cars for sale, and you could find your next ride among these options. Whether you carpool every day or save it for special occasions, you'll want an automobile that can keep up with your needs, and you can find it at this auction lot. 

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous practices happening on the roads. Whether motorists are talking on cellphones, looking up directions or even struggling to find a suitable song on the radio, they often engage in activities that take their eyes and attention off the road. Recent studies show that one occurrence may be more dangerous than others, however: driving with children. 

The Monash University Accident Research Center in Australia recently conducted a study to see how distracted drivers get when they have their kids in the backseat. After monitoring a dozen families for several weeks, the researchers found that driving with children in the car was 12 times more dangerous than using a cellphone behind the wheel. Parents frequently watched kids playing in the rearview mirror, turned to pass toys or snacks, engaged in conversation or attempted to play with children.

All of these seemingly harmless acts led to a driver taking his or her eyes off the road for a significant amount of time. During a normal 16-minute drive, parents were not focused on the road for approximately three and a half minutes. 

To cut down on the distraction children pose to drivers, many families look for vehicles that have features even the youngest passengers can appreciate. Infotainment systems with DVD players and viewing screens are a popular option for many, as it aids motorists in keeping kids occupied. Similarly, having a vehicle with excess storage space in convenient locations is also helpful. These compartments can be used to store toys, snacks and other forms of entertainment for children. 

Anyone looking for a used car that has plenty of family-oriented features will want to look for options at NJ State Auto Auction. This lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, many of which have amenities that can keep all passengers safe and happy. 

There are a lot of factors that go into shopping for a used car, and sometimes the most important aspects are on the outside. Although drivers want to find a vehicle that offers dependability and excellent fuel economy, it is just as important to select a car that is comfortable and fits an individual's personality. Much of that comes down to color, which makes the exterior paint a significant consideration. 

A recent year-long study from iSeeCars.com looked at the color preferences of men and women. The website found that women were more likely to be interested in practical, neutral tones, such as silver, brown, gold or beige. Many of these hues are popular for minivans or SUVs, which could reflect the women's desire to find a family friendly option.

Conversely, men were drawn to bolder tones like red, orange, black, white and green. These colors are commonly associated with sporty vehicles, which may demonstrate that men are looking to find fun automobiles. 

"It's one thing to say you like a color car and another to actually move forward in the used car shopping process to contact the seller about that color car," said Phony Ly, CEO of iSeeCars.com. "… These study results could suggest that women are more practical in their choices. For the most part, they may just want to buy a reasonably priced car that safely drives them around. On the other hand, for men, perhaps they may be a bit more idealistic about cars, preferring something that has speed and is fun to drive." 

Searching for a used car involves more than just looking at the paint color. Drivers who want to browse through a selection of high-quality options can head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, any of which could be a viable option for buyers.