Bieber Pulled Over During High-Speed Paparazzi Freeway Chase

Last Friday, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber was pulled over by California Highway Patrolmen on the 101 Freeway after getting involved in a high-speed chase with paparazzi on his tail. He was driving a chrome Fisker Karma at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, according to the Los Angeles Times. Bieber told authorities he was speeding because he was trying to get away from a group of paparazzi that had been following him.

Dennis Zine, a Los Angeles City Councilman, saw the chase taking place and contacted authorities right away. The news publication indicated Zine had hopes the pop star and the paparazzi would be arrested for reckless driving.

"Any time you do 90, the paparazzi are going to go 90," Zine told the LA Times. "He was going from the fast lane to the slow lane to the shoulder in traffic. It was a very dangerous driving situation. I figured someone was going to crash, so I called 911."

The "Baby" singer was given a speeding ticket and advised to contact police next time he is being followed. The New York Daily News reports Bieber placed a 911-call shortly after being pulled over to report he was still being followed by at least three photographers.

Bieber also filed a complaint against one of the most aggressive paparazzi. According to TMZ, the 18-year-old singer gave authorities the man's license plate number, and the perp is now being investigated for harassment.

Whether driving recklessly or obeying the rules of the road, any driver can get into an accident. This can leave the vehicle with damage that needs to be repaired, and car owners who live near Jersey City can bring their rides to NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The experts at this repair shop can get the vehicle back in working order, but it the automobile is not salvageable the driver can head to NJ Auto to pick out a new ride.

Irvin Gordon’s 1966 Volvo Nears 3 Million Miles

Many drivers today want to keep their vehicles on the road as long as possible, and some cars make it much farther than others. Irvin Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S is a testament to the possibility of making a car last a lifetime. The odometer on the convertible is nearing the 3 million mile mark, with roughly 34,000 miles left to go before Gordon reaches yet another milestone, according to The Associated Press. In 2002, the Volvo was named the first High Mileage Vehicle by Guinness World Records, a record which Gordon still holds.

Gordon bought the car in April 1966 for $4,150 – an entire year's salary. He opted to pay the extra $10 for an AM/FM radio, but skipped the luxury of air conditioning for his red convertible. Nearly 50 years later Gordon, now 72, is still cruising around in his record-setting car. The news source reports he has an affinity for road trips, traveling around the country and to Canada for fun and to visit auto shows. But he knows his near half-century-old car is not in brand new condition, so he fills his trunk with a slew of car parts, just in case.

"I have a set of everything," he told the AP. "If I have it, then I am not going to need it."

Gordon's mechanic told the news source the reason the Volvo has lasted so long and endured so many road trips is because it receives regular maintenance. This is key to keeping a car on the road as long as possible, and drivers who want their cars to last will need to have regular tuneups performed, just as Gordon does. Folks in the Jersey City area can take their vehicles to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction for maintenance and any repair needs.

IIHS Finds Certain Technology Helps Improve Road Safety

There have been so many advancements in automotive technology in the past few years, and many of them have been in the safety department. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently reported forward collision avoidance systems in particular have made a noticeable impact on the reduction of traffic accidents. The agency examined insurance claim data for cars equipped with a variety of safety technology features

"As more automakers offer advanced technologies on their vehicles, insurance data provide an early glimpse of how these features perform in the real world," said Matt Moore, vice president of IIHS affiliate Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). "So far, forward collision technology is reducing claims, particularly for damage to other vehicles, and adaptive headlights are having an even bigger impact than we had anticipated."

For example, Mercedes and Acura models equipped with forward collision warning had an accident rate 14 percent lower than those without the technology. Lane departure warnings were shown to actually increase the risk of accidents, and blind spot detection and park assist did not have a measurable impact on driver safety.

Even with advanced safety technology, some car crashes are still unavoidable. After a car accident, you may need to get some repair work done on your vehicle to get it back on the road. You can head over to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction for all your repair needs. The experts can address bodywork, engine damage and any other work your car will need. If your vehicle is totaled in a crash, NJ State Auto can help you find a new ride. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models all at affordable prices.

Find Carpooling Groups Online To Save On Gas, Keep Car In Better Shape

Carpooling is a great way to save on gas, reduce wear and tear on your car and share the responsibility of driving to work or dropping kids off at school with friends, coworkers and neighbors. However, it is a fairly uncommon practice on American roadways. It may be difficult to find a group of people who have a similar work schedule or destination among the people you know, but there are apps available that can help connect drivers with similar itineraries to make carpooling a more viable option. The New York Times reports ride-sharing has been around for years, but is finally gaining popularity in the States.

"It's been a tough sell in the U.S. for a long time," David Burwell, director of energy and climate program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the news source. "A lot is due to not only the fact that people have different places they want to go, but also safety and other concerns about going into cars with strangers."

As people become more immersed in the internet, digital media and connecting with others online, the prospect of finding a carpooling group online is not as taboo as it may have been in years past. It offers many advantages, including being environmentally friendly. Fewer cars on the road reduces emissions – and congestion. Drivers can go online to find carpooling groups, which will mean they get to leave their vehicles at home at least once a week if not more.

While driving less can reduce the amount of wear on your car, it is still important to get regular maintenance, especially if you are responsible for getting your carpool group to work. The experts at NJ State Auto's Total Car Care Center can keep your vehicle running well by performing basic tuneups and addressing necessary repairs. Plus, if you're already carpooling, you won't have to worry about finding a ride to work while your car is in the shop.

Take Caution When Traveling This July Fourth

The roads tend to get a little bit more crowded around the holidays, and this July Fourth will be no different, even though it falls in the middle of the week. In fact, the Wednesday holiday is part of the reason AAA expects a higher volume of travelers to take to the roads from Tuesday, July 3 through to Sunday, July 8. The automotive organization predicts an estimated 1.3 million New Jersey residents will travel at least 50 miles during the Independence Day holiday period, which is 4.1 percent higher than last year. Those planning to drive account for 84 percent of New Jerseyans who will travel for the holiday.

"The extra time, coupled with falling gas prices have helped encourage travelers to hit to roadway in force," said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for AAA New Jersey Automobile Club. "While travelers continue to seek ways to economize, the longer holiday period allows for longer trips."

This estimate does not account for out-of-state travelers who will surely be contributing to the congestion on the roadways. With so many cars on the roads this week, it is especially important for drivers to put safety first. Checking tire pressure before hitting the road can help make the journey safer and improve fuel efficiency, as having too little air in the tires makes the car work harder and use more gas.

It is also a good idea to check fluid levels, from the oil and coolant to the windshield washer fluid, prior to a long journey. Low levels can be topped off, but you might want to consider taking the car to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction in Jersey City if you suspect a leak. The experts at the shop can inspect your vehicle and make necessary repairs so you'll be safer en route to your vacation destination this week.

Cars.com Lists Most American Cars with Surprising Winner

Patriotism tends to get a big boost around Independence Day, and Americans everywhere are thinking more about their country when it comes to the vehicles they drive. To determine the "most American" cars, the annual American-Made Index report by Cars.com looks at a variety of factors for the top-selling vehicles. The report accounts for U.S. sales as well as where the cars are assembled, and brand doesn't have as much to do with how American a vehicle is as you might think.

The Toyota Camry has been the number one car on the index for the past four years, and the Japanese manufacturer has two other vehicles in the top 10 list – the Sienna and the Tundra. The Camry and Sienna are both assembled in Indiana, and the Tundra is built in Texas, which means the Japanese automaker has built plants and created jobs in America.

"For most car shoppers, how 'American' a vehicle is doesn't impact their final purchase," said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. "However, according to a Cars.com survey we conducted in May, nearly 25 percent do prefer to buy American and nearly half of those people would be swayed to buy a foreign make if they knew it was assembled in the U.S. We do our index every year to make sure shoppers who do factor this into their purchase decision have the right information."

There were some American brands on the index, and General Motors had the highest showing with the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave all making the grade. The Jeep Liberty and Ford F-150 also came in as top-rated "American" cars.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a vehicle this Independence Day, you can head to New Jersey Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models, from American brands to those based overseas and built on U.S. soil, so you can be sure to find a patriotic ride.

Tennessee DMV Gets Innovative with iPads

Whether you are taking your driver's test, registering a car or renewing your license, a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be a dreaded and lengthy experience. The DMV in Tennessee is taking steps to ease the frustration of its patrons. Officials plan to install new kiosks equipped with iPads for those seeking to renew or replace their licenses in certain DMV centers throughout the state – particularly those in more populous urban areas.

"Reducing the wait time at driver service centers is one of our top priorities," said Tennessee DMV commissioner Bill Gibbons. "These self-service iPad stations will cut down on the number of customers waiting for service from a driver license examiner and will help reduce the overall wait time for all customers."

The new setup should allow for drivers to complete their transaction in just a few minutes, including everything from filling out the application for a new license to paying for it and receiving the license itself. Eventually, the agency plans to use iPads for registering road tests as well. Should the new technology be effective, it may be adopted by other motor vehicle agencies in other states, including New Jersey.

If you have to visit the DMV, whether you are stuck there for countless hours or you're lucky enough to be in and out quickly, you may as well ride there in a reliable vehicle. Every car, truck and SUV on the lot at New Jersey State Auto Auction is CARFAX certified. Plus, everyone will be approved for a loan thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, so you'll be able to drive off the lot in a great vehicle and head to the DMV to get license plates right away.