There was a time not long ago when the hottest car accessories consisted of eight-track players and stick-on compasses. Thankfully, those days are long gone. But just because you drive a used car or truck, does not mean it can be outfitted to meet your own particular needs and desires.

DVD player in the car

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The automobile has evolved from a simple means of transportation. Today, cars and trucks serve as mass transit systems for carpooling entire departments, recreational centers for road-weary children, and portable offices for mobile executives. With these changing times has come the demand for more gadgets and gizmos to ensure comfortable and productive travel: from coffee cup warmers and shiatsu seat covers, to DVD players and video game portals. One of the best examples of modern accessorizing is the GPS or Global Positioning System, which allows users to view local maps and receive accurate directions. These gadgets are of particular value to fast-moving professionals trying to navigate urban city streets. And travelers love them, too. Read more . . .

A yellow school bus

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School has moms and dads driving their kids–and neighbor kids–to school in record numbers. Now a new national survey sponsored by Nissan North America, indicates that many parents are extremely concerned about their children’s safety, especially in other parents’ vehicles.

According to a survey of consumers conducted by StrategyOne, a national public opinion research company, nearly seven out of 10 (69 percent) mothers  Read more . . .

You hear a lot about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially if you’re a teen, and while we don’t want to minimize the threat of substance abuse, they are not the top killer of teenagers. Instead the number one cause of death among teens is car crashes. In fact, the fatality rate for teenage drivers is nearly four times higher than for drivers past their teenage years. Read more . . .

Drivers are often reminded about the seriousness of drinking and driving. Yet research now indicates that tired drivers can be just as dangerous. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently reported the top 10 driver errors and listed “drowsiness” at number two, just behind “distractions.” Based on a study conducted in Canada and the United States, the AAA report states that drowsiness, Read more . . .

Rebar snake on the road

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Sure, we all see a lot of stuff in the middle of the road, including the occasional dead skunk, but did you know that all this detritus actually results in thousands of automobile accident each year? According to new research released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, vehicle parts, cargo, or other material that has been unintentionally discharged from vehicles onto the roadway is estimated to cause over 25,000 crashes per year in North America, and those crashes, in turn, result in approximately 80-90 fatalities. Read more . . .