2021’s Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers
Getting a driver’s license is considered a rite of passage in American culture. But this exciting coming-of-age has instead become a death sentence for thousands of teens each year. Motor-vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death among the population aged 16 to 19, which also happens to be the age group with the highest risk of crashes.
The financial implications are staggering, too. In 2018, motor vehicle crashes involving 15- to 19-year-olds resulted in $4.8 billion in costs from medical expenses and work loss. That’s not counting the costs of auto maintenance, insurance premiums, possible traffic citations and other vehicular incidents — expenses that can pile up over time.
To help parents ensure their teens’ safety while also safeguarding their finances, WalletHub analyzed the teen-driving environment in each of the 50 states using a collection of 23 key metrics. Our data set ranges from the number of teen driver fatalities to the average cost of car repairs to the presence of impaired-driving laws.
Read the article at WalletHub.
The Humble Tire Goes High-Tech for EVs
In the electric vehicle era, almost no part of the automobile will go unchanged — including tires. With more than 100 electric models scheduled for launch in the next few years, tire companies are under pressure as they wrestle with conflicting demands for a new generation of tires.
These new tires need to be stronger to handle increased vehicle weight and substantially greater torque created by electric motors. But the tires have to be made as light as possible to help EVs drive further between charges. They also will need to provide greater grip to keep the vehicle stable during hard acceleration. But the tread patterns will have to be quieter and generate less friction, or rolling resistance.
In addition to handling greater torque and higher loads from electric powertrains, tires on vehicles that will have some autonomous driving features are also going to be collecting and transmitting information.
Read the article at The Car Gossip.
Driving Dynamics’ Virtual Driver Training Receives High Marks from Drivers
By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor
For over 30 years, Driving Dynamics’ classroom driver training and behind-the-wheel exercises, e-learning, and simulation training have been a model for the fleet industry in effectiveness and innovation.
According to Debbie Lodge-Balestra, Vice President of Client Relations, 2020 required a whole new level of adaptation for the company, its customers, and their drivers.
“We had to adapt our programs quickly when the pandemic hit because in-person classes were scheduled for all 2020,” she remembers, “we needed a plan to train drivers while keeping them safe.
“In the beginning, we had a lot of students that were having trouble adjusting to the change. Some even had to have their children show them how to log onto the Zoom classes! Fortunately, that issue was short-lived, and today, we're hearing from many students that they actually prefer the online classroom training over the in-person method.”
Thieves Stealing Chevy Equinox and Chevy Malibu Steering Wheels
The Chevy Equinox crossover and Chevy Malibu sedan are the latest targets for thieves looking to steal steering wheels. The thieves will break into vehicles and disconnect the steering wheel with the intention of selling the airbag.
According to a recent report, thieves will break the rear passenger window of a target vehicle in order to avoid setting off the alarm. The thieves will then remove the steering wheel in order to sell the airbag located inside.
The trend started as a result of parts shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, with thieves pocketing hundreds of dollars selling just one stolen airbag to a shop anxious for replacements.
“This is straight cash, you can take it to different shops that may be able to buy it,” said John Channell from Stan Yee Auto Repair. “And [they will] give you cash for that immediately. Then, they will just put it into a car where this already happened.”
Read the article at GM Authority.
Fleet Management’s Holy Grail: Lowering a Vehicle’s Total Cost of Ownership
By Richard Mallek, Director of Business Development, FLD Remarketing
Earlier this year I wrote an article for Fleet Management Weekly titled “There May Never Be a Better Time to Remarket Vehicles and Equipment.” And despite the fact that the fleet industry continues to experience a variety of challenges, that may be even more true today than it was just four short months ago for several reasons, including:
- Historically high resale prices caused by new vehicle and driver shortages
- The need for fleets to right size at a time when business models and missions are changing
- A desire for liquidity and flexibility
- Risk avoidance
- Higher ROI
But of all the reasons there may never be a better time to sell used vehicles and equipment, the truth is that one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
