Teen drivers are not as experienced on the roads as older motorists, which puts them at higher risk of being involved in crashes. Most states have put laws in place to restrict certain elements of driving, such as curfews and passenger limits. New Jersey has one of the strictest graduated driver licensing (GDL) policies for teenage drivers. In 2010, lawmakers added another policy to the list, requiring all GDL drivers to have a red decal placed on their license plate.

New Jersey is the first state to adopt this practice, which is common in other countries, and researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently investigated the effect the new rule was having. The research team compared crash reports and driver citations from the two years preceding and the year following the decal law implementation, and they found the decals prevented an estimated 1,600 accidents involving probationary drivers.

"The fact that we saw significant crash reductions in New Jersey, a state that already has a strong GDL law and one of the lowest teen crash fatality rates, suggests that implementation of a decal law in states with higher teen crash fatality rates may lead to even more marked reductions," said Dr. Allison E. Curry, director of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP. "We hope that our study can help other states looking to reduce teen crash rates."

Staying safe on the roads involves more than laws to restrict younger drivers, and it is important for teen drivers to know the dangers as well as good practices. They should also be driving safe, reliable vehicles, which means getting regular maintenance to ensure their cars are running well to prevent mechanical issues from occurring while teens are behind the wheel. The experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can help young NJ drivers take care of their rides.

Red Ribbon Week, a seven-day stretch dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, kicked off on October 20. State Farm is partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to teach teens about the risks of drinking and driving by distributing a booklet called "The 411 on Teen Drinking" to high schools across the nation.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are four times as likely to get into accidents as older motorists, and consuming alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel greatly increases that risk. The booklet discusses how alcohol affects teen brain development as well as the immediate effects that make driving under the influence so dangerous. It also covers peer pressure and making good choices to help keep teens safe on and off the road.

"When it comes to underage drinking, teens may feel like 'everyone is doing it,' but the truth is that only one out of five teens binge drinks – which means four out of five don't," said MADD National President Jan Withers. "MADD and State Farm have teamed up to empower teens to avoid avoid underage drinking during Red Ribbon Week and year-round with research-based tools like the 'Power of You(th)' teen booklet."

Red Ribbon Week also places emphasis on the importance of parents talking to their teens about the dangers of alcohol and drinking and driving. In addition to discussing safety with their kids, parents might also want to ensure their teens are driving safe, reliable vehicles. This can help protect them on the road, and New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide selection of affordable models that are all CARFAX certified, making it an ideal destination for those looking to put their kids behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

The cost of gas has been well above the $3 mark for over a year, but prices may drop rapidly in the next month or so. According to the Detroit Free Press, the national average may drop as much as 50 cents per gallon from $3.86, the peak average for the month. As of Monday, October 22, the national average price of gas is about $3.66 per gallon, as reported by the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, and some states are already seeing averages in the $3.35 to $3.45 range.

"Most of the country is heading appreciably lower the next few weeks," Tom Kloza of the Oil Price Information Service told the Detroit Free Press. The cost of fuel has remained high due to domestic oil supply shortages, but the news publication indicates supplies are increasing once more, and oil refineries are encountering fewer procedural issues. As a result, the savings are being passed on to the consumer.

"Certainly, lower gas prices are helpful in terms of consumer spending by increasing disposable income," Brian Bethune, chief economist at Alpha Economic Foresights, told the news source.

Experts believe the national average could fall as low as $3.30, and some states may even see prices fall below $3. Not only will prices fall, but there is a good chance they could remain low into 2013. This could be an ideal time for drivers to consider purchasing used vehicles from New Jersey State Auto Auction. Not only does the dealership, which is open to the public, have a wide selection of affordable makes and models, but each one is CARFAX certified. A car that runs well gets the most of every drop of gasoline, which helps drivers save even more at the pump.

Car seat belts are designed with adults in mind, which is why there are laws in place that require children to be placed in booster seats that keep them safer in the event of a crash. However, there is not one overarching federal law that dictates how long children should use these safety devices. Some states mandate that children should continue to use booster seats until they reach a certain height, while others employ an age-related restriction, allowing children to forego booster seats as early as age 6 in some places.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently recommended that all states should adopt stricter rules concerning child safety in vehicles. The recommendations were based on research which found states with laws that keep kids in booster seats until at least age 8 tend to see fewer child injuries and fatalities around car accidents than states with lower minimum age restrictions.

"Many states have booster seat laws. However, there are different requirements for how long the child should remain in the booster seat," said senior study author Dr. Lois K. Lee of the AAP. "Our analysis supports the fact that booster seat laws should follow AAP standards to optimally protect children when they are riding in a motor vehicle."

Age is not the only factor that comes into play with regards to child car safety, as a youngster's size is the main determining factor in whether they no longer need a car seat. According to the AAP, kids should be using safety seats until they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Car seats are just part of the puzzle when it comes to keeping kids safe on the road. Driving a reliable vehicle can help reduce the risk of a crash in the first place, and NJ State Auto Auction has a wide selection of CARFAX certified, pre-owned models to choose from for families looking to get their next cars.

James Bond is famous for his spy skills, ability to make women swoon and fancy cars. Over the years, Bond has driven a variety of vehicles in his movies, and Total Car Score recently set out to determine which of these supercars was the most popular among Bond fans. More than 900 Facebook users responded to the survey, and the results revealed the Aston Martin DB5 Bond drives in "Goldfinger" to be the favorite, with an impressive 55 percent of the vote. The DB5 stood against nine other Bond vehicles that span the movie series from the first film in 1964 to the recently released Quantum Solace.

"Based on the opinions of those we surveyed on Facebook, it seems the Aston Martin DB5 has everything that makes a Bon car a Bond car," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "Early vehicles, like Dr. No's Sunbeam Alpine, didn't diminish 007's image, yet the Aston Martin DB5 that debuted in Goldfinger set a new standard that has yet to be eclipsed. The DB5's sleek profile can stand on its own, but throw in oil jets, machine guns and an ejector seat and you're left with a Bond icon so powerful they've brought it back for the modern movies."

Aston Martin has been a major player in the Bond franchise over the years, and luxury car lovers and Bond fans alike can expect to see yet another one of these British rides in the upcoming film Skyfall. Daniel Craig, the latest Bond actor, will be driving the new Aston Martin Vanquish.

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of their own memorable ride can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide variety of makes and models, including many luxurious vehicles.

Automakers have been making a greater push to ensure their vehicles last longer. A result of this good quality has led to the prices of used cars to skyrocket, because many people chose to hold onto their vehicles longer. This trend caused a short supply in the used auto industry, adding to the value of previously owned models.

However, people who are in the market for a used car can rest a bit easier, as analysts are suggesting that prices are beginning to climb down. The Detroit Free Press reports that because there is a greater supplier of recently traded in vehicles, auto dealers have been able to slightly lower their prices.

The news provider reports that a recent analysis from Adesa Analytical Services shows that prices are down 2.1 percent from the previous year. Midsize SUVs saw the largest drop in price, according to the news provider, decreasing by 11.2 percent. This could be due in part to more people turning toward fuel efficient options.

Still, the source points out that the market is still far from being back at the prices they were before the recession.

Even if you're paying a higher price for a used car, Edmunds.com suggests you could still be saving money. For example, a used vehicle is cheaper to insure and may still be under warranty.

People who are in the market for a used car and are looking for affordable prices may want to consider checking out New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a number of used cars of all different price points, so there is sure to be something for everyone.

Teens are the least experienced drivers on the road, and a new AAA study found their behavior tends to get even more reckless and dangerous if there are other youths in the car with them. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens are four times as likely to get in accidents as their older peers.

The study found they are also more likely to speed, drive late at night and engage in other risky behaviors behind the wheel when there are teen passengers in their vehicles. The risk increases when more passengers are present. For example, when a teen drives alone, there is a 30 percent chance they will speed. Those odds jump to 44 percent when two passengers are present, and 48 percent if there are three or more other people in the car.

"Mixing young drivers with teen passengers can have dangerous consequences," said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet. "AAA urges parents to set and consistently enforce family rules that limit newly licensed teens from driving with young passengers."

New Jersey has laws in place to keep teen drivers safe, as licensed drivers under 18 are not allowed to travel with more than one non-family member at a given time. However, teens are not always known for their ability to follow the rules, so it is up to parents to ensure their kids are observing safe driving practices and obeying the laws.

Parents can also help their kids find a safe and reliable vehicle at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The local dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, and every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so they can rest easy knowing their child is behind the wheel of a trustworthy ride.

It's not exactly a secret that cars need maintenance to continue running well as long as possible, and until pretty recently, most car owners had to keep track of tuneup schedules and mileage to know when to bring their vehicles to the shop for oil changes and other maintenance. However, technological advancements in recent years have led to cars that let their drivers know when it's time to visit the garage. Some models have offered this feature for many years, but now it is far more common across nearly all brands and trim levels.

"The advancements in modern maintenance reminder systems take the guesswork out of deciding when to take your vehicle in for service," said John Nielsen, AAA's Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. "The challenge now is educating consumers to trust that their vehicle will alert them when maintenance is needed."

A recent AAA survey revealed that of the 63 percent of car owners who have a maintenance repair alert system in their vehicles, only 51 percent rely on this service to determine when to get a tuneup or other maintenance. Whether a car is a bit older and its maintenance alert system is limited to a check engine light on the dashboard or it is a newer model that offers more specific information, drivers should not ignore these warnings. Delaying service could lead to extensive problems that will cost more to repair.

Drivers who live in the New York/New Jersey area can bring their cars to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. This auto maintenance shop is open to the public, and the car repair experts here can address maintenance issues as well as pinpoint any issues that need to be taken care of, so drivers can keep their cars on the road as long as possible.

Fall is in full swing, and as temperatures continue to cool down, drivers should start thinking about preparing their rides for the icy cold months ahead. There are a few things every car owner should do to prepare for the changing of seasons, in order to help keep a vehicle running smoothly all year long. This ranges from getting a tuneup to changing the oil and waxing the exterior of the car.

"The winter driving season and harsh weather conditions can be particularly damaging to your vehicle, so it's important to start preparing your car against harmful elements in the fall before temperature really drop," said Mike Schultz, senior vice president of product development for Turtle Wax. "Early preparation can allow for cars to perform better during the hazardous driving conditions and is an all-around safer practice."

Drivers can conduct some maintenance at home, such as waxing the exterior to protect it from the dirt, debris, salt and other deicing products used on the roads in the winter. They can also inspect the various hoses and tubes for signs of damage or leaks. Parking the car on a level, clean surface overnight and then checking underneath can alert drivers if any fluids are leaking from their cars. It is also a good idea to inspect the car battery connections. If there are signs of corrosion, cleaning this off can help reduce the risk of a dead battery.

It is also important for drivers to have their vehicles inspected by trained professionals. The experts at New jersey State Auto Auctions' Total Car Care Center can perform a routine checkup to look for any issues that need to be addressed. They can also help with changing the oil, which should be done every few thousand miles regardless of the season.

As long as the proper steps are taken to ensure a vehicle is running smoothly, drivers can reduce the risk of encountering problems this winter. In turn, this can help them stay safer when the roads get icy.