Thanksgiving weekend is not just for family get togethers and overindulging at the dinner table, it is also a great time to get some holiday shopping done. If you have a young driver on your list this year, the gift of a used vehicle may be an excellent choice. Used cars are more affordable than new, so you won't have to break the bank to get the perfect gift for your teenage son or daughter. You will also have more options when it comes to safety features, without having to pay for each additional add-on.

There are many safety features available on cars that have come out in the past few years, including modern air bag technology, lane departure warnings, rearview cameras and on-board infotainment systems that have GPS navigation and emergency assistance options. If you were to get all of these in a new car, it could result in a major price hike. But when they are already installed in a used car, you won't be facing any additional fees to keep your teen safe on the road.

To find the perfect ride, you might want to consider visiting New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has more than four acres of used cars, trucks and SUVs. Every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, so you know your young relative will be getting behind the wheel of a reliable used model. The public auction company also has an ever-changing inventory, so even if you can't find the right car on your first visit, you can come back again soon to browse the new selection of vehicles for sale.

NJ State Auto hosts weekly auctions on Saturdays, but the lot is open all week long so you can find the cars you're interested in. Should you see something you like, you have the ability to reserve it on the spot if you would rather not wait until the auction.

Distracted driving presents a major threat to all drivers on the road, whether or not they engage in the risky behavior themselves. According to the U.S Department of Transportation, distractions behind the wheel – such as using a smartphone, adjusting the radio, eating, drinking and using navigation systems – were responsible for at least 3,092 deaths and approximately 416,000 injuries in 2010, accounting for about 18 percent of injury crashes that year.

The most recent report on this risky behavior by State Farm indicates the problem may only be growing. The insurance agency's annual report indicates that surfing the web on a smartphone or other handheld device while driving is growing increasingly common.

In fact, among drivers between the ages of 18 and 29, the number of those who have gone online while driving jumped to 48 percent this year from 29 percent in 2009. Among all drivers this increase was a bit more subtle – 13 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2012. This indicates that safety advocates may need to target younger drivers to curb this dangerous behavior.

One major issue is that most drivers are aware of how risky it is to engage in any distracting behaviors while operating a vehicle, yet may still partake. The State Farm survey indicates many felt the issue was that distracted driving laws were not enforced well enough.

These days there are numerous options to reduce risky driving, such as in-car technology that allows drivers to pair their handheld devices with their vehicles and use voice commands to eliminate the desire to take their eyes off the road. There are even a number of used cars that have this feature, and car shoppers may be able to find models at New Jersey Auto Auction.

Following the example of many other automakers, Ferrari recently held a charity auction to raise money that will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. The Italian supercar company has been making efforts to raise funds and contribute to the cause since the disaster struck the northern East Coast states, as its North American headquarters is located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, just west of the Bronx in New York. The automaker's most recent contribution came in the form of a charity auction where an F12berlinetta was up for bid in the U.S for the first time. The auction, held over the weekend in Austin, Texas, brought in more than $50,000 in donations in-person and online in addition to the winning bid of $1,125,000 for the car itself.

"This evening's auction of the highly anticipated F12berlinetta together with the significant contribution from the Ferrari dealer network demonstrate the strong bond between the Prancing Horse and its North American clients," said Marco Mattiacci, president and CEO of Ferrari North America. "With the attention of the motoring world turned to the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend in Austin, an extremely high demand for the new F12berlinetta, this was the perfect time and place to raise much-needed funds for the continuing effort to assist those affected by hurricane Sandy, and we are proud of the results."

Ferrari has been quite generous when it comes to contributing to Sandy relief efforts. The recent action brings its total donation to the Red Cross to more than $1.5 million.

While most people likely cannot afford to bid in the millions for a vehicle, they can take part in the weekly auctions held at NJ State Auto. Every weekend, the dealer auctions a variety of used cars for affordable prices, and car shoppers can be confident knowing they'll be driving away in something reliable, as every model on the lot is CARFAX certified.

As New Jersey and New York work to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the figures surrounding the devastation grow clearer, and Experian Automotive recently announced the extent of the damage on vehicles in affected areas. The company estimates that more than 9 million vehicles were affected in the areas hit hardest by the recent natural disaster. While many of these cars and trucks will likely be rendered undrivable, there is always a chance that some may attempt to sell their flood-damaged vehicles, so buyers need to take caution to avoid purchasing these lemons.

"In the wake of any natural disaster, consumers need to be acutely aware that there will be damaged vehicles out there that will be cleaned up and sold to unsuspecting buyers," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "With such a large number of title-washed vehicles on the road today, consumers need to arm themselves with as much information as possible when shopping for a used vehicle."

Drivers can take steps to reduce the risk of buying a flood-damaged model by inspecting the engine bay, interior and trunk for signs of high-water. There may be a ring, such as those that can form in bathtubs, that indicates the vehicle was in a flood. Buyers should always test drive a vehicle before they buy to ensure it runs in the condition promised by the seller. They can also have an independent mechanic perform an inspection to look for harder-to-find signs of flood damage.

This advice is important for drivers looking at cars from private sellers and dealerships alike, as it it good to rule out the possibility of problems in any scenario. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides additional security, as every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so car shoppers know they'll be driving away in a reliable ride that has not been damaged in Hurricane Sandy.

For many, Thanksgiving is a time when the family gathers together, and this often involves a great deal of travel. The number of people who plan to drive or fly to their destinations has been increasing steadily since 2008, when holiday travel experienced a 25 percent decline. This year, roughly 43.6 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles to celebrate the holiday, and the vast majority will be driving their own cars. In fact, AAA's Thanksgiving Travel Forecast projects that 90 percent of holiday travelers, approximately 39.1 million, will be making the journey in their own vehicles.

"Thanksgiving travel hit a decade low in 2008 when only 28.7 million Americans traveled," said Robert Darbelnet, the president and CEO of AAA. "Since that year, we have seen a steady increase in the number of travelers taking to the roads and skies for the holiday. Americans continue to find ways to economize their budgets so they can gather around the holiday table to carve the turkey."

As the Friday following Thanksgiving is a vacation day for many, AAA found that travelers are planning to hit the road to reach their destinations the day before Turkey Day and spend the weekend with their loved ones before returning home. It is important to note that gasoline prices traditionally increase around the holidays, and last year, the average paid for a gallon of gas was the highest ever recorded – $3.32 per gallon – and it is likely that drivers can expect similar pricing this year as well.

The AAA forecast indicates that the median amount travelers will spend this holiday weekend is expected to drop from $554 last year to about $500. Drivers who want to save money on the road may want to get a tuneup and have their fluids changed, as a car that runs well will use less gasoline. The experts at New jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can help travelers get their vehicles ready for holiday travel.