Latest News From Bumper Radio

PR Newswire, Bloomington, Ill. -- According to the annual survey conducted by State Farm, drivers continue to be in favor of laws restricting cellphone use while driving, yet they are still using them.

For seven years State Farm has surveyed consumers regarding their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to distracted driving, revealing trends over time. A number of interesting trends have been revealed:

Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving has decreased:
◦2009 – 65 percent
◦2015 – 51 percent

Texting while driving has stayed nearly the same:
◦2009 – 31 percent
◦2015 – 36 percent

Accessing the Internet while driving has more than doubled:
◦2009 – 13 percent
◦2015 – 29 percent

Irvine, Calif., Oct. 20, 2015 -- Even though 46 states have laws in place banning texting and driving, and 14 states ban the use of talking on a cell phone while driving[1], 97 percent of consumers say that distracted drivers who text or talk and drive are one of the biggest safety concerns impacting today's motorists, according to an all-new survey by Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry.  Of those surveyed, 91 percent are aware of current local laws pertaining to texting while driving.  In addition, approximately 81 percent of respondents believe Millennials between the ages of 19-34 text most often of all age groups while driving.

Their top answer: they worry about crashing.

New teen-focused Distracted Driving Survey from State Farm® digs deeper into teens’ driving habits.

Bloomington, Ill., October 19, 2015 -- In observance of National Teen Driver Safety Week, State Farm released the results of a recent survey of young drivers ages 16-19. The focus of the survey was to learn more about their attitudes and behaviors when it comes to distracted driving.

With the average price of gas dipping below two dollars per gallon for the first time since 2009, many motorists have been seeing a real savings at the pump. Putting some of that savings toward basic auto care can lead to more miles per gallon and, in turn, more savings, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

(Washington, February 8, 2016) - Domestic crude oil inventories reached their highest level for this time of year in nearly eight decades, and barring any major disruptions in supply, gas prices are likely to remain near their lowest price point since the Great Recession in the near term. Today’s average price of $1.74 per gallon reflects a savings of $1.07 per gallon versus the 2015 peak price reached this past June, and gas prices have fallen for 31 of the past 33 days. Pump prices are down six cents per gallon on the week, 24 cents per gallon on the month, and consumers are saving 44 cents per gallon versus this same date last year.

Year-Over-Year Increases Continue; Minivan, SUV Owners at Highest Risk

CENTREVILLE, Va., Feb. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 47 million vehicles that people are driving, buying or selling in the U.S. have at least one unfixed safety recall, according to Carfax. The company's annual research on the issue suggests a net increase of more than one million vehicles from last year. In addition, every state now has at least 100,000 vehicles with an open recall.
 
If you own an SUV or minivan, or live in Texas, Mississippi, Alaska, Utah or West Virginia, then you're most likely to have an unfixed recall. Especially if you fall into one of these two groups, using resources like myCarfax helps you take the all-important next step of bringing your vehicle to a local dealer. While finding opportunities to get a recall fixed can be challenging, a safe family vehicle is paramount.

Lauren Fix, The Car Coach and Paul Brian report on the best of the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, including their favorite vehicles and the winners of the 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year. Learn more about the new Honda Civic, Volvo XC-90, Infiniti Q60, Porsche 911, 2017 Dodge Pacifica, 2017 Hyundai Genesis G90, and many more!

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced its latest estimate of traffic deaths, which show a steep 9.3 percent increase for the first nine months of 2015. The news comes as the agency kicks-off its first in a series of regional summits with a day-long event in Sacramento, Calif., to examine unsafe behaviors and human choices that contribute to increasing traffic deaths on a national scale. Human factors contribute to 94 percent of crashes according to decades of NHTSA research.

“For decades, U.S. DOT has been driving safety improvements on our roads, and those efforts have resulted in a steady decline in highway deaths,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “But the apparent increase in 2015 is a signal that we need to do more. The safety summits that NHTSA is kicking off today in Sacramento will provide us with new approaches to add to the tried-and-true tactics that we know save lives.”

NHTSA estimates that more than 26,000 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2015, compared to the 23,796 fatalities in the first nine months of 2014. U.S. regions nationwide showed increases ranging from 2 to 20 percent. View the report

ATLANTA, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz Vans is pleased to announce the expansion of the Sprinter portfolio by debuting the WORKER model, which goes on sale in Spring 2016.  Starting at just $32,495*, the Sprinter WORKER will offer the simplest and most straightforward equipment and packaging within the Sprinter Van model line, which includes the 2500 and heavy-duty 3500 models.  Targeting the heart of the commercial van market for plumbers, electricians, general contractors, and HVAC specialists, the WORKER was designed with input from dealers and customers alike, offering the safety, reliability, and best-in-class service intervals—up to 20,000 miles--expected from Mercedes-Benz Vans, all at an affordable and approachable starting price.
  
"We are pleased to announce the new Sprinter WORKER model, which is every bit as capable as the rest of our Sprinter lineup at an even more attractive starting price: $32,495," said Bernie Glaser, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Vans in the USA.  "The Sprinter brand is no stranger to hard work and we are making a statement by targeting the heart of the commercial van market by offering an affordable and approachable model designed for plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, general contractors and similar fields.  The Sprinter offers the best value, as well as simple and straightforward packaging for our toughest customers.  Together with creative financing solutions from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, it has never been easier to own a Sprinter."   

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Actev Motors™, creators of smart, electric vehicles for families, today unveiled the Arrow Smart-Kart™, the first smart, electric go-kart for kids. The Arrow, designed by professional racecar drivers and inspired by technology in today's most advanced cars, comes with a sleek design and is packed with performance and safety features. Young drivers are guaranteed an exciting driving experience while parents can supervise on their iOS or Android device through the Arrow app.
  
"As a long time-car enthusiast, I wanted to leverage my 35 years of technology experience to bring a whole new category of fun and safe vehicles to families," said Dave Bell, CEO and co-founder of Actev Motors. "Simple battery-powered ride-on cars don't excite today's kids – they seek high-tech interactive experiences. The Arrow Smart-Kart gets kids off the couch and outside, and behind the wheel of a real driving machine."