Travelers who are planning a road trip to a destination this summer are probably consumed with working out the details of their vacation – beach houses, guests, food and all of the other factors that can make or break an experience. However, all of these elements shouldn't distract you from getting your car examined in anticipation of a road trip. A breakdown or failure can put a damper on your trip, which makes getting everything checked out of the utmost importance.  

A car's tires should never be overlooked. As one of the most instrumental areas of an automobile, it is essential that they are taken care of. Drivers can keep tabs on tire performance throughout the year, but it may also be worthwhile to get the wheels examined by a professional before a big trip comes along. 

"Tires are taken for granted by many drivers," said David Shelton, director of marketing for a tire manufacturer. "But if you think about it – they allow you to go, stop, turn and carry the load of your vehicle, not to mention all of your precious cargo … Have your tires checked before you hit the road this summer. It could mean the difference between a hassle-free trip and ending up stranded on the side of the road, or much worse." 

If you want to have your tires checked out or just think it's time to bring a car in for a tune up, you can take your vehicle to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can help to address any repair or maintenance issues a ride might have. 

As a major issue facing motorists today, distracted driving practices are getting their fair share of attention. Many recent studies are focusing on the effect different habits can have on drivers, and one from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found hands-free devices that are aimed at increasing safety are actually detrimental to the cause.

Tools such as talk-to-text programs or voice-activated controls often lead to a mental workload that increases reaction time and takes a driver's attention off of the action in front of them. Motorists frequently focus on the technology instead of doing things like scanning the roads or checking out their surroundings, making it less likely they identify danger before an accident happens. 

"These findings reinforce previous research that hands-free is not risk-free," said Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation. "Increased mental workload and cognitive distractions can lead to a type of tunnel vision or inattention blindness where motorists don't see potential hazards right in front of them."

To keep your attention focused firmly on the roads, drivers should do their best to limit the amount of use voice-activated technology – or any other technology – gets in the car. You can even take steps to disable certain functions of mobile devices, such as taking advantage of the "Do Not Disturb" option on phones to block unimportant messages from getting through when you're behind the wheel. 

Improving automobile safety goes far beyond simply eliminating distractions. You need to be sure the vehicle you're driving is capable of meeting the demands of the roads, so if you think there may be an issue with your automobile or simply want to bring it in for a tune up, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The auction house's Total Car Care Center caters to the public and can help address any problems a vehicle may have. 

Drivers in New Jersey are suffering from soaring prices when it comes to car repairs. A recent study from CarMD.com found that the Garden State was the place with the most expensive check engine light-related repairs in 2012 – a feat that's is likely attributed, at least in part, to Hurricane Sandy. 

There was a significant increase in the number of motorists who had to bring their cars in for repairs in the wake of the Superstorm, which contributed to rising costs of labor and replacement parts. Even after the immediate damage of the storm was assessed, the rates continued to increase, as there were many drivers who put off receiving the necessary car repair – causing  more damage to their vehicles in the process.

The average cost of check engine light-related fixes in the U.S. was $367.84 in 2012 – an increase of 10 percent from the year before. However, New Jersey drivers had to deal with even higher prices, as the average cost of repairs in the Garden State was $392.99. 

"In 2012, we saw a dramatic shift in the top five most expensive states for average car repairs, as many drivers along the East Coast incurred rising auto repair costs, while they simultaneously contended with Hurricane Sandy's aftermath," said Ieon C. Chen, CEO of CarMD.com. "Car owners in many states also continued to put off small repairs, contributing to cumulative failures with increased repair costs." 

Whether you think something's wrong or you're just ready to get a tune-up, you can bring your vehicle over to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can help you address any issues your car might have.

Distractions have long been proven to create safety issues on the road, and a new study from the National Coalition for Safer Roads and FocusDriven revealed that distracting behavior can lead to red light violations. Distractions can come from a number of unsafe behaviors behind the wheel, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating or drinking, fiddling with the radio, or even talking to passengers in the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, in 2008, more than 2.3 million crashes occurred in intersections, and approximately 165,000 people are injured each year due to red-light running incidents. The recent study found that a number of these incidents are directly caused by distracted driving. Researchers analyzed 118 red light cameras in 19 different communities and found that 12 percent of red-light running occurrences could be attributed to distractions, which equates to an estimated 7.3 million red-light violations in 2012. 

The researchers are working on a campaign, Stop Distraction on Red, to promote awareness of the problem and help prevent accidental injury and death. Traffic cameras have helped reduce the rate of violations at intersections, but more efforts need to be made on the part of the community, law enforcement and individual drivers to keep the roadways safer for pedestrians, cyclists and those traveling by car.

One way drivers can improve their safety on the road can be to find a reliable ride that has modern safety features, such as brake assist, lane departure warnings and, of course, air bags.

New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a wide selection of makes and models, so it is easy for drivers in the New York/New Jersey area to find used cars, trucks and SUVs that offer the latest features. Plus, every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, providing car shoppers with added assurance that they'll be driving off the lot in a safe ride.

Backseat drivers are something that nearly every motorist is familiar with. In fact, many people consider these talkative passengers to be among the most annoying scenarios when you're behind the wheel. A recent survey from Insurance.com looked at who many car owners believe to be the worst backseat drivers. 

Most married people claimed their spouse was the worst backseat driver. About 40 percent of men and 34 percent of women pinpointed their significant other as the most annoying passenger, while men then claimed friends and mothers were also irritating. Women also reported mothers and friends as being annoying passengers. Children and fathers weren't the source of as much grief, despite the fact that they can be just as distracting for motorists. 

Nearly half of all drivers – 47 percent – said that people commenting on driving speed was the most bothersome behavior. Other irritating actions include giving directions, talking too much, fiddling with the music or mimicking steering and braking. 

There are a few things drivers can do to avoid annoying backseat drivers, or at least limit the extent of their input. 

"Rather than commenting on how fast or how badly someone is driving, speak to the impact it is having on you," said Jane Greer, a relationship expert. "… There's a better chance that will trigger a sense of responsibility and invoke the commitment to take care of you and the driver will be more responsive."

Sometimes, the best remedy for a backseat driver is a car that is equipped with great safety features and entertainment options that will put any passenger at ease. At NJ State Auto Auction, you can find a top selection of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, any one of which could be the best option for your next ride. 

Ask any parent, and they're sure to tell you that safety is a major priority when it comes to their kids. Keeping youngsters safe and sound is especially crucial behind the wheel, and a recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons highlighted this need and offered a few guidelines for parents to follow.

One of the most important points made in the report was that child car safety does not stop when kids reach a certain age. The researchers found that 97 percent of parents with children 3 and younger use car seats and other proper restraint systems. When it came to parents of kids 4 to 6 years old, this number dropped dramatically to 42 percent. Only 46 percent of parents even know that youngsters in the age group should be using booster seats, and many simply go from using car seats to regular seat belts for those ages 4 to 7.

"The safest position for a child is the rear center seat, because side impact crashes are more likely to cause serious injury and fatality, with the greatest risk associated with perimeter seating," said lead author Dr. Walter H. Truong, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in Minnesota.

In addition to properly securing kids in the backseat, parents should take other steps to keep them safe on the road. Buying a reliable vehicle is a crucial component of safety, and drivers can find the perfect car, truck or SUV at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Each model is CARFAX certified, so families will have added assurance that they're driving around with the utmost security.