Buyers looking at used cars in New York who have internet access on their phone could take advantage of an updated service that allows them to monitor traffic bottlenecks on the Triborough bridge and throughout New York City.

Navteq says that its website for mobile phones offers motorists the ability to check for updates on their planned route, including average speeds on various roads, delay information and accident reports that can be customized based on their normal commutes.

“As people become more reliant on having access to real-time traffic [information], drivers want convenient access when they’re on the go,” said Alex Wiegand, Navteq vice president. “NAVTEQ real-time traffic content is highly localized [to help motorists] plan their day.”

Those looking to access the service in used cars in New York on trips to the Garden State should use the services before they start their trip, as New Jersey legislators have banned texting while driving, and both states have laws against talking on a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

While magazines like AutoWeek may be a resource used by consumers to determined what the best options are among used cars in New Jersey, they may not have time to flip through the pages or have access to the website.

A new radio show that targets those on-the-go used car buyers first aired on June 27 as a weekly report from AutoWeek contributors broadcast on the Radio America Network.

For consumers who may not reside in one of the 40 markets where the show airs at 10 p.m. EST, the magazine’s website has a link to the show’s segments that can be downloaded to an MP3 player or another mobile device, including the June 27 reports on F1 racing and an explanation of “hypermiling.”

Not having to try and open a website or read a magazine is one benefit for buyers considering used cars in New Jersey who may listen in during “their commuting time or their garage time,” according to Thomas Michael Berg, the show’s host.

Buyers looking at used cars in New Jersey to take on a road trip this summer may find their vacations more economical as AAA says that struggling retailers could mean savings for travelers.

To find the best deals, they say that travelers should check out local information from the visitor’s center, or even asking residents about deals that may not be well publicized once they arrive.

Before they start the trip, however, they can save some money by making sure that fluid levels in their vehicles are topped off and the tires fully inflated.

Also, whether they’re driving used cars in New York or other states, vacationers can save on fuel and improve handling by packing as lightly as possible to avoid weighing down their vehicle.

There could be another silver lining to the economic downturn that may make trips less aggravating this summer: nearly 900,000 fewer people will be on the road this Fourth of July weekend, which could mean fewer bottlenecks and stop-and-go traffic tie-ups as well.

Drinking while driving poses serious consequences for drivers, but consumers looking for used cars in New York may not know that texting could pose an even greater risk of damaging their investment.

The staff at Car and Driver decided to compare the two impairments in a straight-line test on an unused runway that involved rigging a timing apparatus to a car’s brake pedal, with simulated brake signals in front of the windshield.

They then had several writers and one editor attempt to hit the brakes when the light outside turned red, some while texting and some after drinking.

Compared to being intoxicated with a .08 blood alcohol content, stopping times while texting were as slow, and reaction times were worse for older drivers who texted than those who drank.

People looking to drive safely in a used car in New York may have no idea that “texting would slow down” reaction times to such an extent, said Eddie Alterman, Editor of Car and Driver.

Buyers who are considering a used car in New Jersey may be considering holding onto their new purchase for a longer time than they would have in previous years.

However, a new survey finds that they may not be considering regular maintenance that could keep their purchase from developing problems.

ExxonMobil commissioned the research to find out about the repair habits of drivers, releasing data that shows 40 percent of participants want their cars to reach 150,000 miles or more, or at least 12 years according to EPA statistics on average yearly mileage.

In spite of this desire, only one in five respondents followed manufacturer’s recommendations about regular oil changes and other car care.

“It’s admirable that so many drivers are looking to get more use out of their vehicles, especially in the current economy,” said Ray McDonald, global technical advisor for synthetic passenger vehicle Lubricants at ExxonMobil. “It’s important for drivers to remember that the time to prepare their vehicles for all of those extra miles is now.”

While seniors may consider purchasing used cars in New Jersey as an affordable way to continue driving, AAA wants to make sure they have the best information to help them continue to operate vehicles in a safe manner.

The company’s new website AAASeniors.com brings together research and information about cars that may be more amenable to older drivers, who could represent 25 percent of motorists in America by 2030.

“Many adult children, grandchildren and seniors will at some point be faced with a difficult decision about a mature adult’s ability to drive safely,” said gerontologist Dr. Alexis Abramson. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be proactive in developing a plan of action based on factual, compassionate and objective information.”

Media on the website include instructional videos on various traffic maneuvers to help seniors who want to brush up on driving skills in used cars in Jersey and other states, as well as methods of dealing with declining night vision.

An online brochure also helps seniors consider what features to look for when making their next purchase, such as sedans with lighter doors than their two-door counterparts.

Most 20-year-olds would have their licenses stripped if they were caught driving a used Ford F-150 in New York at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, or worse.

But Colin Braun drives specially-designed versions of the truck on racetracks that host the Nascar Truck Series, and he wants to bring his experience and youth to the Ford Driving Skills for Life program.

The initiative is designed to reduce the number of traffic fatalities caused by teen drivers, which is currently about three times the rate of other motorists by instruction in handling, recognizing hazards and space management.

“I think teenagers are more likely to listen to a message coming from someone closer to their own age, so I hope my involvement will make a difference teaching young drivers how to be safer on the road,” said Braun. “Having grown up racing all my life, I learned early on there is a time and place for driving fast, but public roads are not it.”

DSFL is a private expansion of state-based driver education for teens who may be considering used cars in New York as more affordable alternatives to newer cars.

Figuring out which kinds of used cars in New York and other states to buy could come down to one factor, according to a new Kelly Blue Book survey: the price of gas.

Nearly 9 out of every 10 shoppers who responded said they thought that the price of gas would continue to increase, a belief that is causing them to consider more fuel efficient cars.

“As summer approaches with household budgets still pinched by the weak economy, car buyers are once again becoming very conscious of rising gas prices,” said Jack Nerad, Kelley Blue Book executive editorial director and executive market analyst. “Current economic conditions compounded by the pain at the pump may make $3-per-gallon gas a new threshold for car buyers” in terms of what mileage they prefer in their purchase.

That attitude change was reported by about 60 percent of potential buyers who say they are now considering cars with smaller engines, or even smaller vehicles because of the rising cost of gas.

The economic downturn may be kicking up more than just concerns about finances these days, as some counties are increasingly likely to save money in paving costs by transforming local streets into gravel roadways.

For those looking at used cars in New York and other states, a new paint job or recently remodeled car could bear the brunt of the cost-saving measures which are one option for governments looking to save money.

In Michigan, CBS affiliate WWMT says that some rural roads are now going unpaved, a trend that has begun to extend from the state where it is most popular.

“Our survey results indicate the accuracy of this predication,” said John Niemela, County Road Association of Michigan director in a report on roads in the state. “We are literally reverting to the stone age,” as state funding has dropped and maintenance work is either reduced or avoided entirely.

Road conditions like those should be avoided by those who may have gotten new paint jobs for used cars in New York, several paint companies say, because the gravel can kick up and erode the clearcoat finish.

The next two months may be a good time for consumers looking to buy a used car in New York who were waiting to get a bargain.

Sometimes an end-of-the-month car purchase may yield some extra savings for the customer if the dealership they are buying from is running below their targeted quotas, the LeafChronicle.com reports. And it just so happens that July and August is a typically slow time in the market in terms of car sales.

However, there still may be more of a reason to wait, especially if a buyer wants more of a selection. Kathleen Calligan from the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee told the news provider that September often has many used cars on the market since that’s when many consumers buy new or trade in.

Earlier this year, AOL Autos published a list of some of the best used cars under $20,000 a person could currently buy.

People looking into a decent sports car may be interested to know that the 2006 Pontiac GTO made the list, calling it “one of the best sports car deals available” with a V8 engine and 400 hp.