Most senior drivers surveyed by the AAA Foundation are not taking advantage of simple, inexpensive features that can improve safety and extend their time behind the wheel

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 29, 2017) – Nearly 90 percent of older drivers do not make inexpensive adaptations to their vehicles that can improve safety and extend their time behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Common vehicle adaptations like pedal extensions, seat cushions and steering wheel covers can help to improve safety by reducing a senior driver’s crash risk. Seniors aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely as younger drivers to be killed when involved in a crash. AAA urges seniors to consider making the necessary adaptations to their vehicles in order to reduce crash risk and extend the time they can continue to drive.

“While many seniors are considered to be safe drivers, they are also the most vulnerable,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Our research suggests that most senior drivers are not taking advantage of simple and inexpensive features like steering wheel covers that can greatly improve their safety and the safety of others on the road.”

The research brief, In-Vehicle Technologies, Vehicle Adaptations, and Older Drivers: Use, Learning, and Perceptions is the first phase in the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s groundbreaking Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) project. Researchers are currently engaged in generating the largest and most comprehensive senior driver database in existence. This critical information will support in-depth research to better understand the risks and transportation needs of our aging population.

Incentives Spending on Track to Reach the Highest Level Ever

DETROIT, Nov. 27, 2017 --  For the seventh time this year, the new vehicle retail sales pace in November is expected to fall from year-ago levels, according to a forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for retail sales is expected to be 13.4 million units, down 300,000 from a year ago. Retail sales in November are anticipated to reach 1,119,600 units, a 0.1% decrease (selling days adjusted) compared with November 2016.

"The need to clear out record inventories of prior model-year vehicles continues to keep incentive spending aggressive in November," said Thomas King, Senior Vice President of the Data and Analytics Division at J.D. Power. New model-year vehicles account for just 44% of month-to-date sales compared with 53% in November 2016.  Average incentive spending per unit to date in November is at $4,065, just shy of the record $4,091 set in September.

"Savvy car shoppers took advantage of additional discounts over the Thanksgiving weekend, and that sales bump will likely push spending to a new all-time high," King said. Last year, retail sales after Thanksgiving accounted for 32% of November sales, while spending also subsequently rose by nearly 11% over the same period.

The national gas price average has been trending cheaper for 10 days. At $2.51, today’s price is three cents less than last Monday. On the week, 49 states are paying less at the pump for a gallon of regular gasoline. The District of Columbia and Hawaii saw their gas price increase by one cent. Prices have dropped between one and 15 cents elsewhere across the country.

“AAA expects to see gas prices trend cheaper through the year-end, decreasing as much as 20 cents for some motorists before year-end,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson.
Today, motorists can find gas for $2.50 or less at 63 percent of gas stations nationwide.

Quick Stats
The nation’s top ten states with the largest weekly decreases: Indiana(-15 cents), Ohio (-12 cents), Illinois (-10 cents), Michigan (-10 cents), Wisconsin (-6 cents), Kentucky (-6 cents), Missouri (-6 cents), Kansas (-4 cents), Nebraska (-4 cents) and Oklahoma (-3 cents).
The nation’s top ten states with the least expensive gas: Alabama ($2.23), Mississippi ($2.24), South Carolina ($2.24), Texas ($2.26), Arkansas ($2.27), Oklahoma ($2.27), Tennessee ($2.29), Missouri ($2.29), Virginia ($2.30) and Louisiana ($2.31).

Millions of drivers facing expensive damage and fines from improperly secured trees

ORLANDO, Fla. (November 24, 2017) – According to a new AAA survey, an estimated 20 million Americans who purchased a real Christmas tree in the last three years did not properly secure it to their vehicle, risking serious vehicle damage and dangerous road debris.

Vehicle damage that results from an improperly secured Christmas tree, such as scratched paint, torn door seals and distorted window frames, could cost up to $1,500 to repair. In addition to vehicle damage, Christmas trees that are not properly secured are a safety hazard for other drivers. AAA urges all drivers to transport their Christmas trees safely this holiday season.

“Twine that is wrapped around trees and looped through door jambs or open windows can cause serious damage to door seals and window frames,” said Greg Brannon, director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “Drivers should never secure a Christmas tree to the top of a vehicle without a roof rack.”

Join Goodguys for a fun, festive weekend of southwest hot rodding at WestWorld as we empty the tank on another year of good times! This celebration includes a massive hot rod show with over 3,000 1972 & earlier hot rods, customs, classics, trucks and muscle cars highlighted by the Goodguys Top 12 Vehicles of the Year!

The Southwest’s premier automotive event venue comes alive with the giant Show & Shine, hot rod cruises, over 200 vendor exhibits showcasing the latest products and trends and the pulse-pounding Goodguys AutoCross timed racing competition featuring the 32-car “Duel in the Desert” Finals Shootout event on Saturday, November 18th! Plus, shop the huge Swap Meet for those hard-to-find parts and automotive memorabilia and the Cars 4 Sale Corral, special parking areas on Saturday, Nitro Thunderfest Dragster Exhibition, check out the model car show, enjoy the FREE Kids Zone and so much more! And, late model American made or powered muscle cars, customs and trucks are welcome on November 19th for K & N Filters All American Sunday!