School is almost out for the summer, which means teenage drivers will have a lot more time to spend behind the wheel. May is National Traffic Safety Month and many organizations, safety advocates and teenage groups are placing added emphasis on the importance of safe driving practices for young drivers this summer.

"These tragic crashes and statistics are preventable and it is time we all work together to put an end to summer breaks that end in loss and pain for families of young drivers. The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Coalition leads this annual campaign with national youth organizations, federal and state leaders and business and industry partners," said Sandy Spavone, the executive director of NOYS. "Together these groups supporting and promoting youth efforts will save lives and prevent injuries."

NYOS and its partners will focus the campaign on raising awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired, not wearing seat belts and distractions behind the wheel. Everything from talking to passengers and playing with the radio to texting and eating can increase the risk of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports reading a text takes about 4.6 seconds, and when a car is traveling about 55 miles per hour, the driver's eyes will leave the road for about 100 yards, or the length of a football field.

Many new and pre-owned cars are loaded with safety features designed to reduce the risk of accidents, such as blind spot warnings and lane assist. There are also smartphone apps that can detect when a car is moving and stop incoming calls and texts from distracting the driver.

Parents who are searching for used cars in NJ for their teen driver can check out New Jersey State Auto Auction. This car dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models so parents are sure to find a safe, reliable ride for the new driver in their family.

Some people looking for a used car in New Jersey are searching for a vehicle that can hold a lot of cargo and passengers, while others may prioritize performance. But what if you need both? According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), there are a number of versatile cars that consumers can find for an affordable price.

Kia has had quite the resurgence over the past several years, and the trend continues with the Rio SX Five Door making the cut. The subcompact gets an impressive 138 horsepower while still enjoying around 40 miles per gallon. Additionally, NADA highlights its numerous amenities ranging from heated seats to keyless entry.

While the Rio SX Five Door offers some substantial room for a subcompact car, some motorists may be looking for a larger vehicle. For them, the Jeep Patriot is at the top of the list. Aside from being an affordable and reliable SUV, experts from NADA say that it is replete with safety features. Throw in the fact that it has four-wheel drive and it's one of the most affordable, versatile SUVs available.

Motorists searching for something in between the subcompact and SUV segments should land on the Hyundai Elantra. The compact car has all the appeal of other vehicles in the segment but it also includes a number of features inside, specifically an impressive audio system, NADA says.

If you're looking for versatility in a dealer, look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is something for everyone. Additionally, it offers guaranteed credit approval, so everyone can walk away happy with a quality used car.

While cars with a manual transmission still remain a small segment of the market, signs show an increasing number of drivers are opting for stick shifts. Statistics from Edmunds.com show that manual cars accounted for about 6.5 percent of new purchases in the first quarter of this year, which is the highest percentage since 2006.

According to USA Today, there could be a number of reasons why a larger amount of drivers are choosing the manual route. Perhaps most significantly, however, they tend to be a bit cheaper than automatic models. They are usually about $1,000 less and are more readily available in smaller, more affordable cars.

Manual transmissions are also more appealing to drivers hoping to get better performance out of their ride. This is especially true for smaller cars, where being able to shift yourself lets you get the most out of the vehicle, analysts told the publication.

Along with price and power, some credit the increase in manual drivers to the fact that cars have become increasingly user friendly. According to USA Today, modern cars provide a much smoother clutch pedal than in years past. Furthermore, there is a portion of the driving population that simply chooses manual transmissions out habit.

The 6.5 percent figure is significantly higher than in the last few years. In 2010, only 3.9 percent of new cars purchased throughout the whole year were manual. In 2011, that number was about 3.8 percent.

Whether you're looking for an automatic or manual used car in NJ, you'll have luck at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there's certainly something for every driver out there.

There's no denying that buying a car can be stressful. Between financing, choosing a car and trading in your old model, it can certainly be overwhelming. However, it does not have to be that way, and at New Jersey State Auto Auction it isn't. Not only does the dealer offer a wide variety of cars and SUVs, but NJ Auto will streamline the car buying process and take all the anxiety out of purchasing a used vehicle.

Perhaps the greatest advantage offered by NJ Auto is the exceptional variety of cars it has in stock. Specifically, it offers more than 400 pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs and vans, all of which can be purchased online or in person. Furthermore, all models are sold at or below Kelley Blue Book value, so you know you're getting a good deal when you drive away.

Auto financing can be one of the most stressful aspects of buying a car. After all, how will you be able to get a new vehicle if you're not approved? That's not a problem at NJ Auto, which offers guaranteed credit approval thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation. So regardless of whether or not you have poor credit history or a sterling reputation, you'll be approved.

Another common issue with buying a new car is being unsure what to do with your previous vehicle. NJ Auto has you covered there as well. You can trade in or sell your car, and thanks to AutoTrader you'll be able to get an appraisal in a matter of seconds and be well on your way to enjoying your new pre-owned vehicle.