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.