WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will hold a pair of public meetings this spring to gather input as it develops guidelines for the safe deployment of automated safety technology. The meetings, to be held in Washington, D.C., and California, will gather information on a series of issues related to safe operation of automated vehicles as part of NHTSA’s efforts to provide manufacturers with operational guidance.

“We are witnessing a revolution in auto technology that has the potential to save thousands of lives,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “In order to achieve that potential, we need to establish guidelines for manufacturers that clearly outline how we expect automated vehicles to function – not only safely, but more safely – on our roads.”

BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Finest Automobile Auctions, a new auction house focused on delivering the finest experience for collector car enthusiasts, and Proxibid, the world's most trusted way to connect buyers and sellers of highly valued items, have partnered to bring together some of the most sought-after collector cars available at auction with the most sophisticated online bidding solution to ensure collectors from across the globe can bid and buy with confidence. The Finest Automobile Auctions will make its live auction debut at The Elegance at Hershey, one of the most important Concours events of the season, on Saturday, June 11 at 1:00 pm Eastern. Live online bidding for this auction will be available via Proxibid.
  
"As the Chairman of the Board of the Elegance at Hershey, I am excited to announce our partnership with The Finest and their role as Title Sponsor.  The auction will add another exciting component to what already promises to be a great weekend," said Michael Rich of the Elegance at Hershey.

MCLEAN, Va., March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wholesale used vehicle prices generally rise in February as dealers prepare for increased spring consumer demand. In fact, up to this year, prices had moved higher in February for twenty years straight. The streak came to an end last month, however, as wholesale prices of vehicles up to eight years in age fell by nearly 1 percent from January.
  
In their March Guidelines report covering the U.S. used vehicle market, analysts at NADA Used Car Guide note above average increases in late auction volume likely played a role in February's depressed outcome. Auction volume of 2014 and 2015 models increased by an average of roughly 20 percent from January to February.

As winter winds down and the weather gets warmer, motorists will see more potholes on the roadways and avoiding them can be a real challenge. If you hit a pothole, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends watching for three warning signs to determine if your vehicle has been damaged.

Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling.

Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

(WASHINGTON, March 21, 2016) Pump prices have climbed higher for two straight weeks, and the national average price of gas may soon climb above $2 per gallon for the first time this year. Gas prices have increased largely due to seasonal increases in fuel demand and reduced production as some refineries conduct maintenance.  Today’s average price of $1.98 per gallon is a the highest daily mark since January, and drivers are paying a nickel more per gallon than a week ago and 27 cents more per than a month ago. Despite retail averages rising, consumers continue to benefit from yearly savings and prices remain 44 cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago.

Gas prices tend to reach the highest levels of the year in the spring before the summer driving season. As the weather turns warmer and days grow longer, people tend to drive more, which results in increased demand. Many families also take spring break road trips this time of year, which means they may use more gasoline than normal. This increase in demand comes at the same time that many refineries conduct maintenance to prepare equipment for the busy summer driving season, which leads to a temporary decline in fuel production. In addition, refineries also begin to transition to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce, but mandated due to the fact that it is causes less air pollution at warmer temperatures. These factors typically lead to higher gas prices this time of year and have helped push prices higher in recent weeks.