Veterans Returning to the States May Be at High Risk of Car Accidents

When soldiers return from serving overseas, they need to take care as they readjust to civilian life. The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs reports car accidents are the leading cause of death for veterans in the first few years following their return home. When soldiers are driving vehicles on the battleground, the tactics they use behind the wheel are much different than those needed to drive at home, but it can be difficult for some to adjust the the change, according to Fox News.

"It was a complete culture shock coming from the military back to Houston," former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant Bryan Escobedo told the news source. "For a long time, when I was driving on the highway, I always thought that there was IEDs [improvised explosive devices]. Anything that I saw on the side of the road, I'd swerve all the way."

Many veterans and active-duty soldiers on leave have had similar problems behind the wheel. USAA, a military insurer, told Fox there is about a 13 percent risk of car accidents among post-deployment troops who returned home, and that risk was as high as 36 percent for those who had served three or more tours of duty overseas. However, the odds of getting into a crash drop significantly after about six months of being stateside, the news source indicates.

Returning soldiers looking to purchase used cars in New Jersey can head to NJ State Auto Auction, which carries a wide variety of vehicles. Whether veterans would feel more comfortable in a used Hummer or they want a smaller vehicle, NJ Auto is sure to have the right vehicle to fit the bill.

Hyundai Celebrates 100th Issue of The Walking Dead With a Zombie Survival Machine

Before The Walking Dead was a hit AMC TV show, it was a beloved comic – one that is still being written. In honor of the comic's 100th issue, Hyundai got together with creator Robert Kirkman to design a special edition Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine. The real-life car, based on a concept created by Kirkman, will be unveiled at the San Diego Comic-Con next month.

The sketches, which were leaked by AutoBlog, are based on the Elantra, but Kirkman added a few zombie-killing features including barred windows and lights and an undead-impaling spiked plow that make the car look like it came from beyond Thunderdome. In addition to showing off the post-apocalyptic vehicle, Hyundai will be giving away an Elantra GT covered with a vinyl rendition of the cover of issue 100, which was drawn by Charlie Adlard.

"I had a good experience working with Hyundai and Future US last year, and I thought it would be totally awesome if a fan of the comic were able to win a great new car made even cooler with Charlie's artwork," said Kirkman. "Designing the Zombie Survival Machine was just the icing on the cake. I'm very excited to see the amazing job they are doing in turning my doodles and ideas into a truly awesome car. I hope they will let me do a test drive before Comic Con!"

Drivers who want to find used cars in NJ that will be suited for the zombie apocalypse can head to NJ Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models to choose from, and each is CARFAX certified, so car shoppers know they'll have a reliable ride to help them escape the hordes should the dead ever walk the earth.

CDC Study Finds Teens Are Safer Behind the Wheel Than In the Past

Teen drivers are acting safer behind the wheel, according to a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The government agency recently released a report that indicates high school students are much safer when it comes to driving and riding in cars with other teens behind the wheel than they were 20 years ago.

In 1991, about 26 percent of teens reported rarely or never wearing their seat belts, but this dropped to 8 percent in 2011. There was a significant decline in the percentage of students who rode in cars with inebriated drivers (40 to 24 percent) and in 2011, only 8 percent reported having gotten behind the wheel after drinking alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study compared to 17 percent in 1997.

"We are encouraged that more of today's high school students are choosing healthier, safer behaviors, such as wearing seat belts, and are avoiding behaviors that we know can cause them harm, such as binge drinking or riding with impaired drivers," said Howell Wechsler, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health. "However, these findings also show that despite improvements, there is a continued need for government agencies, community organizations, schools, parents and other community members to work together to address the range of risk behaviors prevalent among our youth."

While students are safer in many regards when it comes to driving, the report found one in three students had texted or talked on the phone in the 30 days leading up to the study. Parents should talk to their kids about the dangers of distracted driving.

Those looking to buy used cars in New Jersey for their teen drivers can find cars with safety options at NJ Auto Auction. Ever vehicle is CARFAX certified, so parents know their teens will be getting behind the wheel of something reliable. 

TrueCar.com Names Top 10 Most Popular Cars for Dads Just In Time For Father’s Day

If you really want to outdo yourself this Father's Day, getting your siblings, and maybe even Mom, to pitch in for a car for dad could be a great idea. Whether your dad's been driving the same rust bucket around since before you were born, or it's just time for a change, it might be a good idea to take your father shopping for used cars in New Jersey this weekend.

TrueCar.com, an online automotive information resource, recently published its list of the 10 Most Popular Cars for Dads, which includes everything from pickup trucks like the award-winning Ford F-150 to fuel-efficient compact sedans like the Honda Accord. The list isn't based on dream vehicles, but cars and trucks that make sense for a family – and that your dad will enjoy driving.

"Unlike the list of vehicles men prefer, which includes the Porsche 911 in the top spot, the data shows that fathers have traded in speed for practical vehicles with a back seat," said Kirsten Anderssen, senior analyst for TrueCar.com. "We're finding that fathers need a fuel-efficient car for commuting to work and weekend activities."

The Honda Odyssey found its way onto the list, as it's a great choice for a dad with a big family. It was ranked as the best choice for dads with two or more kids, and has been the top-ranking minivan for many years. The Toyota Sienna and Camry made the list, as did the Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Silverado. All of theses cars have been on the market for years, so those looking to purchase a used vehicle for dad this Father's Day can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide variety of makes and models, making it easy to find the right car for you father this year.

Even Gamers Are Affected By Distractions Behind the Wheel

When it comes to distracted driving, studies have shown that most motorists are aware of the dangers. Yet, people continue to talk on their phones, text behind the wheel and engage in other distracting behavior. Many people feel while others should not use their phones behind the wheel, they are fully capable of juggling this task with driving, and doing so safely. However, this is not true, and yet another study, conducted at the Duke Institute, confirms the fact that people are unable to engage in conversation while driving without taking some of the focus off of the more pertinent task.

The researchers studied 60 video game enthusiasts who are accustomed to taking in many different bits of information all at once, such as reading instructions or maps while simultaneously fighting bad guys. The subjects were asked to play the TrackMania racing games as well as two puzzle games. They played each game through once, and the second time, they were asked to answer Trivial Pursuit questions over a speakerphone to simulate talking on a cellphone.

The gamers did better at the driving game than non-gamers, beating the non-gamers' times by an average of 10 seconds. When they were also concentrating on answering the questions, they times dropped by about 2 seconds, and the same rate was seen in non-gamers. This suggests it doesn't matter how good someone might be at multitasking, anything that takes their mind off of driving has a significant impact on their ability to navigate.

"It doesn't matter how much you've trained your brain, we just aren't set up to do this," said Stephen Mitroff, associate professor of neuroscience and member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.

The best way to stay safe on the road is to forego phone calls and other distractions when driving. Getting behind the wheel of a reliable car is also important, and New Jersey State Auto Auction has a variety of CARFAX certified models to choose from.

Used Car Prices to Drop in July

After months of rising prices, the cost of used cars in New Jersey started to go down during June, and analysts predict that will continue into July. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) predicts used car prices to fall about 3 percent next month, making it good time to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction.

Prices are expected to be lower for all segments, but certain cars may see a steeper decline than others. Specifically, midsize and compact cars will likely drop by between 3.5 and 4.5 percent, while light trucks, pickups and SUVs may not see as big of a reduction. A lot of that can be directly traced to the gas pump.

"Falling gasoline prices will result in greater depreciation of compact and midsize cars, but will help moderate losses for light trucks, such as large pickups and SUVs," said senior analyst at NADA Jonathan Banks.

The findings build on already-encouraging figures for June. Used car prices for this month are about 1.6 percent lower than they were in May. Once again it was midsize and compact cars leading the way with around a 2.5 to 2.8 percent dip.

Even though used car prices are on the way down, that doesn't mean you still can't find the best deal possible. According to Consumer Reports, one of the best ways to do so is to research ahead of time so you come to the dealer equipped with the knowledge of how much your car of choice should cost.

Another good idea if you're in the market for an affordable vehicle is to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is the right car for everyone, and it's at an affordable price.

AAA Highlights Ideal Cars for Teen Drivers

For many teens, getting their license is one of the biggest milestones in their young lives, and the first car they buy is just as important. While a teen driver may be looking for style, design, color and power, their parents would likely prefer them to get behind the wheel some something safe, reliable and affordable.

"Teen drivers see their first vehicle as a step toward independence – parents and teens seeing eye to eye on the best vehicle can be tough," said John Nielsen, executive director of AAA Automotive Engineering. "Safety behind the wheel should be a priority. Finding a reliable vehicle that has top safety features and fits into the budget will make you and your teen's vehicle ownership more enjoyable."

If there was a Venn diagram of teen and parent desires for the right car, the number of vehicles in the intersection section would be low. To help teens and parents more clearly see the options both parties would like, AAA recently published a list of cars teens like that also have high safety ratings.

The Honda Civic has long been a favorite among younger drivers, and parents will like the fuel economy rating as well as fact that the 2012 Civic sedan was named a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Volkswagen's Golf and Rabbit TDI models made the list as well. These diesel-powered cars can help teens save at the pump. The GTI, on the other hand, is one Volkswagen parents may want to steer clear of, as this vehicle is built for speed and power, and may not be the safest choice for a new driver.

No matter what car teens and their parents agree on, New Jersey State Auto Auction is sure to have something to fit the bill. Those looking for used cars in New Jersey will love NJ Auto's wide selection, and every vehicle is CARFAX certified, so drivers and their parents know the model they choose is safe and reliable from the get go.

2012 Will Be the End of the Line for 10 Cars

Some cars, like the Dodge Viper or the Honda Odyssey, may never go out of style, but the same is not true for every vehicle. Many models are discontinued because they're not selling as well as hoped, and often automakers do so to replace them with similar vehicles. Production of the Chevy Cobalt, for instance, was stopped to make room for the Cruze in 2009.

Kelley Blue Book reports this year there are 10 models from the 2012 lineup saying farewell, including the Dodge Caliber, Kia Sedona, GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. Mitsubishi is discontinuing two models – the Eclipse and the Gallant, Mazda will no longer make the CX-7 and Hyundai says goodbye to the Veracruz. Two luxury automakers, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, are also stopping production on the HS Hybrid and the R-Class, respectively.

"While we don't necessarily subscribe to the ancient prediction of the world ending later this year, the world will come to an end for several vehicles that will not make it beyond 2012," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "Because 2012 marks the final year of these 10 models, savvy in-market consumers likely can swing really good deals on some of the cars we identify. In addition, the automakers that produce them are making interesting changes in their new-car lineups to fill the space left by these departing models."

When a manufacturer discontinues a particular model, drivers can still find previously-owned versions at car dealerships in New Jersey like New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, the dealer is sure to have the discontinued car of your dreams. Plus, every vehicle on the lot if CARFAX certified, so you know you'll be driving away in a reliable ride.

Hyundai Announces Features and Pricing for 2013 Accent

Hyundai recently released details of the new 2013 Accent, which is due to hit dealerships this year. Along with a slew of new standard features, the Accent is expected to have an improved fuel economy. The 2013 version is set to get 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 mpg in the city regardless of whether it is equipped with a manual or automatic transmission.

Some of the upgrades that will come standard with the new model in all trim levels include heated side mirrors, remote keyless entry and air conditioning. The Accent SE will have turn signal indicators on the side mirrors in addition to the heating feature that is great for frosty fall and winter mornings. While the new subcompact sedan is getting a lot of standard feature upgrades, these do come at a price. The 2013 Hyundai Accent will have a starting price of $14,545 for the entry level model, which is a $2,000 increase over the 2012 model year vehicle.

Those looking to purchase used cars in New Jersey may want to consider Hyundai Accents from model years 2006 through 2012. Kelley Blue Book suggests the price for a 2006 Accent in excellent condition to be around $8,000 at a dealership. This is the first year the Accent really began to be noticed as a respectable small car and it has a decent mileage of 32 mpg on the highway, 27 in the city, according to Edmunds. A 2012 model runs about $16,200 in excellent condition and offers a comparable fuel economy to the 2013 vehicle.

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a used Hyundai Accent or any other small, fuel efficient vehicle can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models.

Lindsay Lohan Avoids Injury Thanks to Porsche

Lindsay Lohan grabbed headlines once again this week thanks to her driving ability. The troubled actress is no stranger to problems behind the wheel, and she continued the trend over the weekend when she got in an accident with an 18-wheeler. Though the damage looked serious, credit should be given to her Porsche 911 for helping her avoid serious injury, USA Today reports.

The accident occurred while Lohan was on her way to the set of her latest project, a made-for-TV movie about the decades-long relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. TMZ reports the car was totaled and her assistant, who was riding with her, was slightly injured as well.

Although Lohan was taken to the hospital after the crash, she was released a short time later. Experts say her walking away relatively unscathed is testament to the impressive safety features of her luxury sports car. The latest version of the 911 features six airbags which help protect occupants in the event of both head-on and offset crashes. Additionally, the vehicle was made with new high-strength steel.

"Particular attention was paid in designing and engineering the junctions of the A-pillars [the struts on either side of the windshield that support the roof] and the roof frame, as well as the safety structure involved in head-on and offset collisions," the company told USA Today.

Whether driving a Porsche or a decades-old used car, nothing is more important than safety. One of the best ways to ensure you're driving the safest car possible is to get regular tune ups at New Jersey State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center, which will be able to meet all your automotive needs.