Although large-scale recalls of Toyota vehicles have continued to occur since the highly publicized unintended acceleration problems that provoked lawsuits and congressional hearings, a report from National Public Radio's Marketplace program suggests that American motorists may not be reacting as strongly to some of the more recent safety problems.Toyota dealership owner Earl Stewart told Marketplace [...]
A person's weight may affect their car insurance rates, as a new study from the University of Buffalo found that both the morbidly obese and the underweight are at a higher risk of dying during a severe car accident.Researchers analyzed data from the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System database to find a connection between body [...]
As the first owners of Nissan's electric Leaf model take delivery of their new cars, it remains to be seen how they will cope with one of the main drawbacks critics have raised about the gasoline-free vehicles: how to get them charged up.However, it shouldn't be an issue for Olivier Chalouhi, a Redwood City, California, [...]
There was good news and bad news in the report released this week by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. For most motorists, the news that their vehicles were probably less likely to be stolen must have been welcome. For drivers of a few models, however, the report may have made them double-check their car insurance [...]
A proposal which would place the Philadelphia Parking Authority in charge of the city's tow truck companies is being strongly opposed by the drivers, who say it will increase their costs, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.However, City Council member James Kenney, who sponsored the proposed change, told the paper the current lack of regulation has [...]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a reminder to consumers about the hazards posed by a number of previously recalled Ford vehicles that are beginning to show up in used car markets.The recall specifically targets vehicles that were found to have defective cruise control switches that can rapidly overheat and cause car fires [...]
While a car accident is a serious enough headache even if everyone is insured, drivers who are in the country illegally could suffer much worse consequences when they are caught, according to a report in the New York Times.As an example, the paper presents the case of Felipa Valencia, an unlicensed illegal immigrant who, though [...]
Despite the strong contention of the Wisconsin insurance industry that car insurance premiums would be likely to rise following the passage of increased coverage standards, a report from consumer watchdog Citizen Action says that these claims gravely mischaracterize the new law.On the contrary, Citizen Action says, car insurance has been a highly profitable business in [...]
A ban on text messaging while behind the wheel of a car in Indiana could be in the works, according to a number of insiders who spoke to the Lafayette Journal and Courier newspaper.The trend toward tougher auto safety laws in the state has been apparent for some time, the Journal Courier reports. Legislators tried [...]
Although the most recent Massachusetts legislative session ended without the passage of the so-called "Right to Repair" law, a number of new corporations and interest groups have officially backed the effort, and will help existing supporters exert pressure on the state legislature to pass the bill during the next session.The Automotive Recyclers Association, Valvoline Instant [...]