A number of things stood out a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conference in Washington, D.C., but there was one type of safety device that earned the most attention. The Detroit Free Press reports automakers debuted so-called "intelligent vehicle" technology which will help reduce crashes.

Among the most impressive ideas on display was created by manufactures at Ford, who have designed a technology that allows communication between vehicles that is able to warn drivers of impending dangerous situations they may not have otherwise been aware of.

The technology is still in the early stages, and the NHTSA is going to be launching a pilot program in the near future to see if such car-to-car communication is a viable option in a real world setting. Still, others think that the warning technology alone may not be all it takes.

"You would need to have another method I think, a radar, a sensor, to have a threat validated first to be absolutely sure it's really there," director of engineering at Continental Alfred Eckert told the news source. "Until that is perfected, you can't have vehicles taking control."

According to the NHTSA, there were more than 30,000 fatal crashes in the United States in 2009.

As a new batch of high school graduates enter either college or the real world, many parents across the country are outfitting them with the best gift of all – a car to call their own. Despite the generosity, there are a number of things that parents should keep in mind when picking out just the right vehicle.

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, while most young adults will want something flashy and youthful, safety should always be the main concern, although it is not the only one. Perhaps almost as important is fuel economy, especially given the unpredictable nature of gas prices.

There are a plethora of cars out there that claim to offer the best gas mileage, but the news source reports there are a few small, compact models that provide the best mix of style, safety and efficiency.

Models such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are all compact rides that offer high EPAs.

Whether one is looking for a Chevrolet, Ford or Hyundai for their recent grad, New Jersey Auto Auction offers used cars at affordable prices.

A Massachusetts bill aiming to help motorists may actually cause them to be less safe. According to Automotive Body Repair News, the Massachusetts Auto Coalition believes the so-called Right to Repair bill may make it easier for counterfeiters to supply unsuspecting drivers with faulty parts.

The fears are caused by the fact that the bill loosens protective measures put in place to secure automakers' intellectual property. As a result, many mechanics believe that this could hasten the spread of low quality parts that are not constructed with the right materials or in the correct way, something that could have serious implications.

"We constantly are monitoring product quality and rejecting counterfeit parts." industry insider Jamie Godfrey told the news source. "My fear is that this bill could unintentionally lead to even more substandard and inferior parts flooding the market."

To ensure that their vehicles are of the best quality, motorists will want to visit only reputable sellers such as New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers used vehicles at an affordable price.

In an effort to provide owners of pre-owned vehicles better services, General Motors recently announced the launch of its Owner Care program. According to the automaker, the plan provides free maintenance to drivers of used GM cars for the first two years or 30,000 miles.

Among the services covered under the new plan are regular upkeep such as oil changes and tire rotations, as well as other general inspections done whenever a car comes in to get serviced. The change in policy also includes a more rigorous certification process for used vehicles, upping the inspection to a more rigorous 172-point check. Along with the free maintenance, GM also offers free trials of OnStar and XM satellite radio.

"We believe our enhanced program offers our customers an outstanding experience from the moment they drive their Chevrolet, Buick or GMC Certified Pre-Owned vehicle off of the lot," said Jennifer Constabile, general director of marketing and sales support.

Drivers looking to purchase a used Chevrolet or GMC at an affordable price may want to turn to New Jersey State Auto Auction. Regardless of the make or model, there are plenty of cars for sale at an affordable price.