Although most states require drivers to have insurance, that hasn't stopped a large swath of Americans from doing without it. Industry analysts say that about one in seven drivers don't have coverage in response to the struggling economy, USA Today reports.

The number of drivers lacking coverage does not come cheap, either. Statistics have shown that uninsured motorists cost insured drivers $10.8 billion in 2007. The state with the largest percentage of offenders was Mississippi, where a whopping 28 percent of people behind the wheel are uninsured, despite the fact laws mandate it.

"It is costly to track down violators of compulsory insurance laws, and unless the odds of getting caught are high and the penalties severe, drivers will continue to flout the law," Loretta Worsters, president of the Insurance Information Institute, told the publication.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Massachusetts, which only had 4 percent of drivers uninsured. New Hampshire is the only state without some sort of similar law in place.

Motorists looking to purchase insurance for their new car should consider a few tips before doing so – including finding competitive quotes and reviewing your previous driving record, Edmunds reports.

For most brides-to-be, the last thing on their mind before they get married is what kind of car they'll be taken to the ceremony in. Such was not the case for 26-year-old Megan Ashton, who spent six years transforming an old Volkswagen Beetle into a Porsche 356, The Telegraph reports.

The project began when Ashton bought the 1969 VW for just £200 when she was a student. Then after her fiance proposed, she stripped down the original car and added larger pistons and cylinders to the engine. She also added a white leather interior and the body of a 356.

''There were times when I didn't think we'd get it done in time as it was such a huge project, but it meant so much," Ashton told the news source. "I dreamed of driving the car but got carried away buying my wedding dress, which meant it was quite difficult to fit in."

Though not officially a Porsche, the car has a top speed of 100 miles per hour and is worth about £25,000. The 356 was Porsche's first-ever automobile and was originally created in 1948.

Presented with a number of attractive year-end sales events, almost two-thirds of new and used car shoppers are planning on making a purchase in the next three months. Kelley Blue Book's Market Intelligence Customer Sentiment Survey found that 62 percent are expecting to buy, setting up a successful fourth quarter for the auto industry.

Along with showing that a large swath of shoppers are looking to buy in the near future, the study also indicated that many of them already know what they're looking for. In particular, 55 percent of those polled have decided on the segment while 54 percent have settled on a price. New car buyers are planning to spend an average of just over $28,000, while used car buyers are expecting to pay an average of $11,415.

"Consumers seem to know what they want… it is just a matter of finding it in the current marketplace," said Kelley Blue Book research analyst Camryn Craig. "Inventory levels improved in September and are expected to continue improving through the end of the year."

Drivers who know what they're looking for will want to head to New Jersey Auto Auction, which carries plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Some of the most eco-friendly cars in the country recently hit the streets in Southern California in the form of taxi cabs. Ten Ford Transit Connect cabs, which are powered by compressed natural gas, were put into service on Friday, USA Today reports.

The early squad of innovative cabs is just one of many that will come in the future, the company says. Though currently limited to the Yellow Cab of Orange Country, they will soon be making an appearance in Anaheim, California as well. Additionally, Transit Connect cabs are also in use in Las Vegas and Chicago.

"Our goal is to convert our entire fleet to alternative fuels, so bringing the CNG Transit Connect Taxis into service is (a) step in that direction," Tim Conlon, president of California Yellow Cab said in a statement.

Honda has unveiled a specially-designed Civic that runs on the alternative fuel, but it is only available in four states, California being one of them, according to the publication.

Though it may be a few years off until such alternative fuel sources are made available to a wider audiences, motorists looking to find a fuel-efficient compact cars can look at New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

Technology has undoubtedly changed the way that people drive their cars, but results of a recent survey indicate that motorists may be relying too heavily on such devices. In fact, 63 percent of those polled in the MetLife Auto & Home study believed that drivers use technology too much while operating their cars.

Also revealed in the study was that just 29 percent of people believe that technology has made people safer drivers. Although features such as devices that can warn you if there is a car in your blind spot and help you back up were intended to improve safety, it may have the opposite effect on some drivers.

"Technology advancements have greatly improved the comfort and safety of cars, but over-reliance on these features can be dangerous – drivers need to remember that it's still up to them to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner," MetLife president Bill Moore said.

Of course, these features can all have their advantages when used appropriately. Anybody looking to get behind the wheel of a used car that has the latest safety features can check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which has plenty of makes and model at affordable prices.

It's not unusual for auto manufacturers to try their hand in other areas besides cars, but Porshe recently entered new ground. The popular high-performance maker is set to unveil its line of jeans, USA Today reports.

The jeans will debut at a boutique in Beverly Hill, and much like the cars themselves they certainly won't come cheap. At the low end of the spectrum, a pair could cost around $390, but some are as expensive as $900.

The unveiling will be part of Thursday's Fashion's Night Out, and will feature an appearance from Kaley Cuoco, the buxom blond who stars on the hit CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory. The jeans are part of a new denim line released by Porsche Design.

While it might seem like an unlikely fit, cars and fashion often go hand in hand, according to a 2010 Los Angeles Times article touting the opening of an exhibit celebrating the link at the Peterson Automotive Museum.

"Cars and clothing are two of the most revealing things about a person," the Petersen's curator, Leslie Kendall, told the Times.

Being the Vice President certainly has its perks, including getting to ride in some of the most high-tech cars in the world. However, for current VP Joe Biden, that luxury has somewhat of a negative effect – he misses driving cars himself.

Biden, the son of a car salesman, has been around the automotive industry nearly his whole life. He recently spoke with Car and Driver magazine, and the fact that he can't get behind the wheel of his own ride is something that continues to irk him.

"I still have my 1967 Goodwood-green Corvette, 327, 350-horse, with a rear-axle ratio that really gets up and goes," Biden told the publication. "The Secret Service won’t let me drive it. I’m not allowed to drive anything. It’s the one thing I hate about this job. I’m serious."

Though he never gets the opportunity to take cars out on the open road, he mentioned that he has been able to drive his brother's Cadillac on his driveway and said that it might be able to compete with his '67 Corvette.

Anybody who loves driving as much as Biden might want to get behind the wheel of a used car from New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.
 

Anybody who is feeling restricted by the 65 miles-per-hour speed limit throughout much of the country may want to head to the Lone Star State. Texas recently upped its maximum speed limit to 85 miles-per-hour, CBS affiliate KXII reports.

Although no street in the state has a limit above 80, the ceiling of 85 is the highest in the country. However, state officials have not ruled out the possibility of upping some sections of road to meet the limit pending an inspection performed by engineers.

"Increased speeds will lead to more accidents whenever you have heavy traffic volume," Texas Highway Patrol trooper Mark Tackett told the news source. "That's why the engineers are going to go out and they're going to survey the particular areas to see if it's safe to do so."

The measure saw widespread support in the state legislature, KXII reports. In fact, state representative Larry Phillips highlighted the fact that West Texas made similar changes and has not seen any negative effects.

Regardless of the speed one is driving, having a safe, reliable used car is a must. New Jersey Auto Auction offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

The arrival of fall means a lot of things, but for a large portion of the population it is all about the return of football season. Of course, with college and pro football kicking off over the next few days, tailgating parties will be springing up all across the country.

While food and fanfare is certainly a must at any tailgating party, if your car is not up to snuff the whole thing could be put in jeopardy. To help all the tailgaters out there get the most out of their pre-game parties, Kelly Blue Book recently released its list of the top 10 cars for tailgating.

"Forget the beach parties and don't worry about the holidays just yet – it's time for cold drinks and hot dogs before a stadium-sized event," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book'. "And to throw a proper tailgating party, you need a proper tailgating car. We've ranked the top 10 new party-mobiles to assist anyone in planning their next parking-lot party."

The list was compiled by the editors of the company's website, kbb.com, and focused on a number factors including seating capacity, electronics and amenities such as built in coolers.

Starting off the list is the 2011 Ford Explorer. This SUV has been a standard on roads for years, and it is especially well-suited for the parking lot before the game. In addition to comfortably seating seven, it features folding rows and a fully-adjustable front passenger seat so it can accommodate any and all cargo as well.

A little further upon the list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Known for its spacious interior and smooth ride, this popular SUV also has something few others do – an excellent sound system. Specifically, the website says the Cherokee is outfitted with a 10 speaker, 506-watt system.

Though the Explorer and Cherokee are solid options, experts say it can't compare to the 2011 Dodge Ram. This powerful pickup offers plenty of space with its expansive bed, but its what lies beneath that really sets it apart. According to kbb.com, the truck has locking bedside bins that can hold and astonishing 240 12-ounce cans. It also has under-seat compartments for plenty of extra space.

Allstate recently released its list of which cities have the safest driver, and for the second year in a row Fort Collins, Colorado, topped the list. The average driver in Fort Collins will experience a collision once every 14 years, the study showed, which is significantly below the national average of every 10 years.

The seventh annual report, which analyzes the 200 biggest cities within the United States, was started as a way for the insurance company to boost awareness of the importance of safe driving.

"Safety is a critical component to creating a world-class city; we have our residents to thank as they are undoubtedly the reason Fort Collins is one of the best places to live, work, and play," the city's Mayor Karen Weitkunat said. "I'm honored to be a part of a community that is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best."

Allstate also offered a few tips to drivers looking to increase their safety while out on the road. Regular maintenance, including checking your breaks, tires, battery and hoses is crucial, as is minimizing distractions while behind the wheel.