The CDC Released The List of The Deadliest States to Drive In. Where Does Your State Rank?

Last week the Center for Disease Control (CDC)  released a study showing the worst states for motor vehicle related deaths. The survey rated all 50 states based on data from 1999-2005. The results were eye-opening, to say the least. 

One noticeable trend was that the majority of the top-ten deadliest states to drive in were southern U.S. states.  I found this surprising, as you would think the most deadly areas would be the most urban.  However, New York and California, known for their crowded metropolitan areas, were actually on the list of Top Ten Safest States for Driving.

The statistics lead many to believe that the majority of  deadly motor vehicle accidents occur on long stretches of highway as opposed to crowded urban streets. Most likely because faster speeds are attained on these types of roads causing more devestating accidents than the everyday fender benders that occur on urban roadways. A summary of the results:

Top 5 Deadliest States to Drive In:

Top 5 Safest States to Drive In:

For a full list of the deadliest and safest states, visit AOL’s article, Where Is It Most Dangerous to Drive?

How Marriage Affects Your Auto Insurance

Welcome to our latest blog series- Auto Insurance and Life Changes.

Whenever we have a big life change, it’s good to consider how this will affect our insurance. For this series, we will discuss how marriage, having a new child, moving, buying a car, teen drivers and college can all affect your auto insurance.

 Today’s topic? Marriage.

Will you be hearing the sweet sound of marriage bells ringing in your near future? Couples who are about to tie the knot, or have done so recently, should consider how this will affect their auto insurance.

Most couples have separate auto insurance policies while they are unmarried.  Once you get married, however, you will have to notify your auto insurance company of your status change and any new living arrangements.

Combining both of your vehicles under one policy can typically save you a great deal of money. Not only that, but men under 25  will typically see their car insurance rates drop when they get married.

Marriage may also qualify you for multi-line discounts if you or your spouse has other insurance policies with the same company. For example, many auto insurance companies will give you a discounts if you also have life insurance or health insurance with their company.

Other type of insurance to consider when getting married:

• life insurance
• health insurance
• home insurance

Auto Insurance and Life Changes Series
>Part I: Marriage
>Part II: New Job

I immediately hoped when I read that statistic that it was wrong. However, after checking the source and finding it to be the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, my hopes quickly faded. As horrifying as it sounds, we really do loose, on average, 36 Americans every day because of drunk driving related accidents.

For some reason, when broken down as the number of deaths per day as opposed to number of deaths each month or year it seems to hit home a little more. Maybe it’s because minutes and hours are easier for us to digest than months and years. For example, you know what’s eating at me? The fact that at least one person died from a drunk driving related accident as I wrote this blog post.

Being in the auto insurance industry it is difficult to ignore the horrors of drunk driving accidents. So I thought I’d take a break today from the usual car reviews, financing tips and maintenance checklists to discuss drunk driving and the current efforts to prevent it.

However, I don’t want to write today to dwell on the grisly details. I admit it, I used the title to bait you in.  What I will discuss briefly today is really more important than the fatalities. It’s how we are going to PREVENT further fatalities from happening and make our roads safer in general. Because unfortunately, the seriousness of the drunk driving problem in the U.S. rarely hits home until there is a loss. And obviously, even then there is not enough awareness raised to prevent further deaths. So what can we do as parents, community leaders, politicians and teachers to help?

A ray of hope that shines through this entire situation is the fact  over the past 20 years alchohol related fatal crashes have decreased up to 60 percent for drivers 16 to 17 years old and 55 percent for drivers ages 19 to 20.  And while that is a tremendous accomplishment, there is still plenty of room for improvement. 

Prevention- Focusing on Progress

The Law

The CDC suggests that one of the most important ways to prevent alcohol related deaths is to actively enforce effective strategies such as enforcing the minimum legal drinking age and zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 years of age.

In addition, the CDC reported in a December 2002 issue of Traffic Injury Prevention that sobriety checkpoints are an effective way to prevent alcohol-related crashes as the number of alcohol related crashes in a given area decreases by about 20 percent with the presence of a sobriety check point. The results seemed to be the same regardless of whether or not the check points were conducted frequently in a short amount of time or over the course of a year telling experts that the effectiveness of check points does not seem to diminish over time.

Education

Checkpoints and enforcing the minimum legal drinking age can only go so far.  Unfortunately, these tactics typically only catch someone “in the act”. And while they may prevent further violations of the law, they do not necessarily get to the root of the problem- preventing the behavior from ever happening in the first place. That’s where education and awareness come in. 

Various tactics have been implemented in different communities across the country but all with the similar goal- to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving among our upcoming and future drivers.  A joint effort by parents, teachers and other school officials, drunk driving prevention programs are typically at the top of any U.S. high school’s awareness program. But how do we know if it’s working?

In an interesting correlation, the CDC found a link between the number of drunk driving accidents in a state and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) grade that that state had  been awarded. For example, states with a MADD grade of D or worse were found to have a 60 percent higher rate of drunk driving accidents than those who received a MADD grade of A. MADD grades are awarded to rate each state’s efforts to prevent drunk driving through education, law enforcement and awareness. (My praise to MADD for creating an obviously effective metric for measuring awareness across the country).

All in all, it seems like state prevention efforts can make a significant dent in the drunk driving problem, especially among teens. It’s our job as members of our community to make sure these awareness programs are upheld and that education about drunk driving is on-going and effective over time.

If you are interested in finding more information about how to prevent drunk driving in your school, home or community visit the MADD website.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle is proposing an increase in state requirements for minimum car insurance coverage which would result in an increase in car insurance rates for drivers across the state.

Currently Wisconsin minimum state requirements are set at 25/50/10 or $25,000 for injuries to each person involved in an accident with up to $50,000 of coverage for any accident and $100,000 for  property damage.

Doyle proposed in his new budget to increase the lowest possible states coverages to $100/$300/25.

This new requirement would increase car insurance rates for drivers considerably and the state Insurance Alliance fears this would cause thousands of drivers to drop their coverage because they wouldn’t be able to afford it any longer.

Wisconsin Insurance Alliance (WIA) President Andy Franken commented that the proposed increase would make Wisconsin car insurance rates the highest in the country.

“There’s no need to raise it”, said Franken.

Trial attorneys who support the increase claim that the minimum coverage levels set  years ago fall short to cover emergency room and health care costs stemming from car accidents.

The WIA said that it  predicts that if Doyle’s proposal is passed, Wisconsin auto insurance rates in the country could increase between 33 and 43 percent.

I thought the latest article on AOL Autos would be a great read for anyone shopping for a  used car. They list their top picks for under $10k and the results are rather surprising.  Among the contenders? The 2006 Ford F150, The Toyota Prius and Cadillac CTS…

Not bad for under $10k!

You can see the full article on AOL here: http://autos.aol.com/gallery/cheap-used-cars

And a quick reminder: When shopping for a used vehicle, price is typically a big factor for most people. Remember that the cost of your vehicle follows you after you drive off that lot in terms of maintenance and insurance. Be sure to get a vehicle history report and check with your car insurance agent about rates for this type of vehicle.

Hands-free devices prove to be no safer than hand-helds

A recent study by the University of Utah found that drivers talking on a hands-free device were more likely to make errors behind the wheel than drivers holding a conversation with a passenger in the front seat.

The National Safety Council has been urging legislatures in all 50 states to pass laws prohibiting motorists from using cell phone devices behind the wheel.

“When you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call,” said Janet Froetscher, President of the National Safety Council.

Professor David Strayer who performed the U.U. study concluded that conversations with someone in the front seat of a vehicle might actually help prevent accidents as the passenger can help spot on-coming collisions and warn the driver of possible hazards.

Each year, the number of accidents occuring while talking on a wireless device is growing as the number of cell phone subscribers increase. One study performed by Harvard estimated that 2,600 deaths occur each year by cell phone related accidents.

Some experts say that drivers talking on a cell phone (hands-free or handheld) are four times as likely to  get into a crash than those who don’t talk on their phones while driving.

If you are lucky to get by accident free, the money factor always weighs in. In states where cell phones have already been outlawed, fines are imposed for drivers caught driving while talking on a phone. These tickets are just one of the traffic offenses that may increase your auto insurance premium for up to 5 years.

The new Taurus SHO is the first Ford branded product to feature the EcoBoost fuel injector

This Spring Ford is releasing their latest version of the Taurus SHO. First released in 1989, the Taurus SHO was a high-selling sedan.  Yet since the third generation model released in 1999, the Taurus SHO has lost steam and since become non-existent on the showroom floor.

The 2010 model, however, is out to change all of that. The SHO will be the first Ford branded product to feature the company’s new gasoline turbocharged direct-injection (GTDI) engine, the EcoBoost.

Featuring far more power and torque than previous models, the new SHO engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 365 hp at 550 rpm.

The new Taurus will be offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission and will feature steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

And the new Taurus is not only impressive under the hood- the interior of the SHO features unique suede-covered sports seats.

The ford is expected to retail at $37,995 and return at least 25 mpg highway.

For more information visit the press release announcement from the Ford Motor Company.

AutoInsuranceQuotes.com Tip: Before purchasing a new car, always check the vehicle’s National Safety Rating as this may affect your auto insurance rates.

A new study shows that 150,000 injuries are caused each year by the closing of car doors

When you think of the term “car accident” I’m almost certain a few things come to mind- dented bumpers, inflated air bags, twisted metal- but in reality, some car related accidents don’t require a vehicle to be moving at all.

For the first time ever, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has collected data and reported on car related injuries that occur without the car’s engine ever being started.

#1 The most common car-related injury is caused by the closing of a door- for example, closing your fingers/hand/arm in a closing car door.  At nearly 150,000 reported incidents each year, it is obvious this injury deserves some attention.

#2 Surprisingly, the second most common auto-related injury is overexertion. Most overexertion injuries are caused by people who are unloading vehicles or pushing immobile vehicles.

#3 Coming in third, it is estimated that about 84,000 injuries are sustained each year by passengers and/or drivers who fall while getting into or out of a vehicle.

For the full list of car-related injuries and annually estimated injuries, visit AOL’s Most Common Car-Related Injuries.

Window Tinting has become extremely popular over the past decade for a variety of reasons. Some drivers prefer the cooler temperatures that tinting keeps their car. Others need window tinting for a medical reason. In the end, some people just think window tinting makes their car look “cool”.  Anyway you slice it, it’s important as a driver to know that there are state specific laws regarding  window tinting in nearly every state in the U.S.

First, let’s cover the basics.
“Window Tinting” in terms of automobiles is the process of filtering the amount of light than can enter through a car or truck’s window by applying some sort of film or coating on the window itself.

Often times newer cars will already have a certain degree of window tinting applied which occurs in the manufacturing plant. Drivers can almost always assume that this type of tinting is in compliance with federal and state window tinting laws and regulations.

Many drivers, however, will perform after-market window tinting that is done at home or by a private window tinting company. This is where drivers run the biggest risk of violating federal and state laws.

State Regulation
While window tinting filters out light, it also reduces the visibility of the driver. Window tinting is almost always regulated under state laws making them different for each state. Most states, however, are similar in that they typically consider window tinting to include:

• Tinted film that has been heated and shrunk on the inside surface of the glass.
• Sunscreen devices typically made out of plastic and attached to a vehicle’s windshield, side windows or rear window.

State regulation measures the degree of window tinting on a window as a percentage of light being transmitted. For example, some tints may offer 90% light transmittance meaning they let 90% of the light through into the car but filter the other 10%.

If you have window tinting or are considering getting your auto’s windows tinted, it’s a good idea to check the window tint laws in your state so you don’t have to worry about violating any laws.  

Tickets for window tinting violations can vary from state to state ranging anywhere from $100-$500. Remember, traffic tickets are not only costly, but may also drive up your auto insurance rates.

Should You Lease or Buy?

It’s a common dilemma for drivers trying to get into a new car- To lease or to buy?

Unfortunately, there is not one “right” answer.  Leasing is not inherently better than buying or vice versa- it all depends on your financial situation and personal preference.

Leasing vs Buying in a Nutshell
To lease a car is to finance your use of the vehicle- as opposed to financing the purchase of the entire vehicle.  When you buy a car and finance it, your loan principal (or total amount borrowed before interest) equals the sales price for the car.  When you buy a vehicle, you own it- and it is yours until you decide to sell it in our trade it. A lease, however, let’s you finance your use of the vehicle for a period of time set by your lease contract- typically 24, 36 48 or 60 months. In a lease, you do not own the vehicle. When you sign a  lease you are committing to paying the monthly lease payments for the length of the lease.  However, once your lease is up, you have to return the vehicle to your leasing company.

Cost Differences
Typically a lease payment is much lower for a new car than a finance payment because you aren’t buying the car you are only borrowing it. However, this may not be true if you are considering buying a used car. Leases are only available for new cars whereas financing for a car purchase is available for new or used cars.

Protection for Lease vs. Buy Vehicles
Whenever you finance a vehicle, whether a lease or a purchase, you need to have some type of coverage protecting you from a possible loss.

In a situation where you decide to finance the purchase of the vehicle (buy), you will be required by your lender (and state) to acquire auto insurance which will cover any losses you incur because of an accident or theft.  Without car insurance, your car could be totaled in an accident or stolen and you would still be responsible for paying back your loan. 

With a leased vehicle, you need coverage to protect not only the loss of the vehicle but also the value of the vehicle at time of turn-in. When you turn in a vehicle at the end of a lease, your lender requires that the vehicle be worth the standard value of that car minus depreciation over the time you’ve had it. However, if you were in an accident during the time you leased the vehicle, even if the repairs were made, the value of the vehicle decreases greatly. In a lease, you are required to make up that difference in value. That is where GAP insurance comes in. GAP insurance is typically built into any lease and offers financial protection in the event your vehicle is totalled or stolen.

In the end, your decision to lease or buy really comes down to how much you want to pay and what type of commitment to the car you want to make. Here are two questions to consider before making your final decision:

1) Is the car you are considering something you will want to keep forever, or would you rather have a brand new car every 2-4 years?

2) What type of mileage do you put on your vehicle? Would a lease (which has mileage  limits) accommodate your annual mileage?