Safe Driving Does Make A Difference

If you have ever wondered whether defensive driving really makes any difference, wonder no more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said this week that the number of traffic fatalities last year is the lowest on record.

With 32,885 traffic related deaths last year, the NHTSA said the number is on a definite downward trend. In fact, that’s the lowest number of traffic related deaths since 1949, and a full 25 percent decline from the highest number which was recorded in 2005. All of this is on top of the fact Americans are now driving more miles than ever before.

The NHTSA factors in increased safety features on vehicles for at least some of the decline, but there is no disputing that safe drivers are having an effect. In fact, as more and more drivers look at improving their driving skills through the use of online traffic school the roads become a much safer place to be. Defensive driving schools help you not only understand the rules of the road, but understand your own limitations behind the wheel.

Drivers who have successfully complete a traffic school online are less likely to take risks behind the wheel and more likely to follow the proper traffic regulations. That makes their journey not only safer for them, but also safer for everyone they pass on the road.

Insurance companies too are waking up to the fact that defensive driving courses make a difference and many offer a reduction in premiums for customers who have successfully completed a course.

So before you turn your nose up at taking a defensive driving course, take a look at the numbers. After all, a fact is a fact.

Distracted Driving Kills

You don’t need to look far to find evidence that distracted driving leads to increased rashes. Anyone who has successfully completed an online traffic school knows just how dangerous it is to lose focus while you are behind the wheel. Anything that distracts you from the effort of driving; takes your eyes or attention off the road in front of you can be fatal.

Defensive driving courses have been saying it for years: Keep your eyes on the road. That means your eyes cannot be staring at a tiny text screen, watching you scroll through status updates on your smart phone, or even staring at the GPS device that will likely just ‘tell’ you where to turn. If they do, if your eyes leave the road for even a second, that’s all it takes for the driver in front of you to brake suddenly, a deer to cross your path or a pedestrian to step off the sidewalk in the path of your vehicle. If you don’t see them, you will hit them.

When it comes to what you learn at traffic school online the first rule is to keep your eyes on the road. That was probably the first thing whoever taught you how to drive said to you while you weaving your way down some country road or through an empty parking lot. A car is a 4,000 pound missile and you are taking aim every time you step on the accelerator and get behind the wheel. If you don’t pay attention to what you are doing you risk your life, the life of whoever is riding with you and the life of everyone who passes you on the road.

Be a safe driver, be a careful driver, be an attentive driver and be a defensive driver. Put down the smartphone when you get behind the wheel. Turn it off if you have to, but definitely don’t try to text while you drive. The life you save might be your own.

Image: scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Distracted Driving Is Dangerous Driving

National Transportation Safety Board this week released a report recommending a complete and total ban on the use of cell phones while driving.  The ban would include wired, wireless, hands-free devices and texting devices, but would not include the use of such devices by passengers in an automobile. According to the most recent estimates by the National Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 14 million drivers use hand-held phones, which they consider distracted driving. They also estimate that more than 3,000 deaths last year were directly caused by distracted driving.

This emphasis on distracted drivers is a direct result of the completion of a 10-study of driving habits conducted by the NTSB. The findings showed a direct connection between distracted driving and crashes, which prompted the recent suggested ban.

Drivers who completed an online traffic school understand the dangers of distracted driving so this should come as no surprise to them. Driving requires your full attention, both on the road ahead of you and the areas all around your vehicle. If your attention is drawn away, whether its toward a cell phone, the radio or even a GPS device, the opportunity is there for you to have a crash. It takes less than a second for someone to step off the sidewalk in front of you; the car ahead of you to brake suddenly, or you to find yourself in the midst of an emergency situation. Anything which draws your attention away from the hazards of driving, is itself a hazard.

At the moment, the use of cell phones by drivers vary from state to state. In 35 states it against the law to text message while driving. Another 30 states ban cell-phone use by novice drivers, and 10 ban all use of hand-held cell phones while driving. If the NTSB has its way this will be the case in all fifty states.

It seems likely that some nationwide rule governing the use of hand-held devices by drivers will be enacted, especially when you consider the strength of the NTSB in past actions. For anyone who has successfully completed traffic school online course this will hardly come as a shock because they already know just how dangerous it is to let anything come between them and their focus behind the wheel.

Image: Sarunyu_foto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In order to reduce the number of accidents at intersections, researchers at MIT have devised an algorithm that predicts when an oncoming car is likely to run a red light.

Based on parameters such as the vehicle’s deceleration and its distance from a light, the group was able to determine which cars were potential “violators” — those likely to cross into an intersection after a light has turned red — and which were “compliant.”

The researchers tested the algorithm on data collected from an intersection in Virginia, finding that it accurately identified potential violators within a couple of seconds of reaching a red light — enough time, according to the researchers, for other drivers at an intersection to be able to react to the threat if alerted. Compared to other efforts to model driving behavior, the MIT algorithm generated fewer false alarms, an important advantage for systems providing guidance to human drivers. The researchers report their findings in a paper that will appear in the journal IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

Jonathan How, the Richard Cockburn Maclaurin Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, says “smart” cars of the future may use such algorithms to help drivers anticipate and avoid potential accidents.

“If you had some type of heads-up display for the driver, it might be something where the algorithms are analyzing and saying, ‘We’re concerned,'” says How, who is one of the paper’s authors. “Even though your light might be green, it may recommend you not go, because there are people behaving badly that you may not be aware of.”

How says that in order to implement such warning systems, vehicles would need to be able to “talk” with each other, wirelessly sending and receiving information such as a car’s speed and position data. Such vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, he says, can potentially improve safety and avoid traffic congestion. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is exploring V2V technology, along with several major car manufacturers — including Ford Motor Company, which this year has been road-testing prototypes with advanced Wi-Fi and collision-avoidance systems.

“You might have a situation where you get a snowball effect where, much more rapidly than people envisioned, this [V2V] technology may be accepted,” How says.

In the meantime, researchers including How are developing algorithms to analyze vehicle data that would be broadcast via such V2V systems. Georges Aoude SM ’07, PhD ’11, a former student of How’s, designed an algorithm based on a technique that has been successfully applied in many artificial intelligence domains, but is relatively new to the transportation field. This algorithm is able to capture a vehicle’s motion in multiple dimensions using a highly accurate and efficient classifier that can be executed in less than five milliseconds.

Along with colleagues Vishnu Desaraju SM ’10 and Lauren Stephens, an MIT undergraduate, How and Aoude tested the algorithm using an extensive set of traffic data collected at a busy intersection in Christianburg, Va. The intersection was heavily monitored as part of a safety-prediction project sponsored by the DOT. The DOT outfitted the intersection with a number of instruments that tracked vehicle speed and location, as well as when lights turned red.

Aoude and colleagues applied their algorithm to data from more than 15,000 approaching vehicles at the intersection, and found that it was able to correctly identify red-light violators 85 percent of the time — an improvement of 15 to 20 percent over existing algorithms.

The researchers were able to predict, within a couple of seconds, whether a car would run a red light. The researchers actually found a “sweet spot” — one to two seconds in advance of a potential collision — when the algorithm has the highest accuracy and when a driver may still have enough time to react.

Compared to similar safety-prediction technologies, the group found that its algorithm generated fewer false positives. How says this may be due to the algorithm’s ability to analyze multiple parameters. He adds that other algorithms tend to be “skittish,” erring on the side of caution in flagging potential problems, which may itself be a problem when cars are outfitted with such technology.

“The challenge is, you don’t want to be overly pessimistic,” How says. “If you’re too pessimistic, you start reporting there’s a problem when there really isn’t, and then very rapidly, the human’s going to push a button that turns this thing off.”

The researchers are now investigating ways to design a closed-loop system — to give drivers a recommendation of what to do in response to a potential accident — and are also planning to adapt the existing algorithm to air traffic control, to predict the behavior of aircraft.

New Legislation Makes Using Handheld Electronic Devices while Driving a Primary Traffic Offense; Additional Regulation will Increase Penalty from 2 Points to 3 Points for Cell Phone and Electronic Device Usage While Driving

Albany, NY (July 12, 2011) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a new law that strengthens the enforcement against drivers who use handheld electronic devices for activities such as texting while a vehicle is in motion. The legislation makes this action a primary traffic offense, giving law enforcement the power to stop drivers solely for engaging in this activity.   The Governor also announced today that he will increase the penalty for using a cellular phone without a hands-free device or a handheld device while driving from two to three points through changes in state regulations.   “I am proud to sign this bill today, both as the Governor and as a father of three teenagers,” Governor Cuomo said. “It’s plain and simple: distracted driving leads to tragedies that have affected families all across New York.

This new law will help ensure that drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. I thank Senator Marcellino and Assemblyman Weisenberg for their hard work on this legislation.”   Before this law, it was illegal for drivers to use handheld electronic devices while their vehicle was in motion, but it was a secondary traffic offense — meaning a driver had to be stopped for another violation in order to receive a ticket.   The new law makes it a primary traffic offense and it will go into effect immediately. The monetary penalty for a violation of this law continues to be a fine of up to $150.   Illegal activity includes holding an electronic device and:

• Composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving electronic data such as e-mail, text messages, or webpages
• Viewing, taking, or transmitting images
• Playing games

The law does not penalize drivers using a handheld electronic device that is affixed to a surface or using a GPS device that is attached to the vehicle. The law also exempts police officers, fire fighters, or emergency vehicle drivers while they are performing their duties. In addition, a driver is exempt from the law if the driver is communicating or attempting to communicate with law enforcement, the fire department, or medical personnel during an emergency situation.

New York State Senator Carl L. Marcellino said, “With this new legislation, New York State driving laws have finally caught up with today’s technology. Our new law will strengthen enforcement against drivers using handheld electronic devices and help keep drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. I am proud to stand with Governor Cuomo as he signs the bill I sponsored into law and we finally make distracted driving a serious offense.”   New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg said, “As a former police officer, I’ve seen the devastation caused by distracted drivers. Today, we are giving law enforcement the tools they need to keep our roads safe and prevent future accidents. These changes will save lives. I’d like to thank Governor Cuomo for supporting this law and I look forward to our continued work together.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “Motorists should now realize the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while texting on mobile devices or talking on a cell phone without an approved hands-free device. This change in the statute will allow law enforcement to continue the battle against distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous driving and drivers must reduce diversion and behaviors that take their attention from the road. Attentive, responsible, defensive driving is the key to avoiding crashes and keeping our highways safe.”   New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said, “It’s no secret that violations of the no-texting and no use of hand held devices while driving rules are widespread despite their nexus to accidents, including fatalities. This legislation is a welcome step toward saving lives.”

President of AAA New York State Thomas Hoy said, “With nearly 2 trillion text messages sent last year, texting represents the most dangerous form of distracted driving. We applaud the Governor and lawmakers for stiffening the consequences for those who jeopardize the rest of us with their careless conduct.”   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 16% of fatal accidents in 2009 were due to distracted driving and 20% of people injured during a crash were involved in a crash where distracted driving was reported. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers who were texting were 23 times more at risk of a crash or near crash.

What used to be a thing of fantasy or science fiction is now on a fast track of becoming a reality.

More and more cars now have “smart car” features, ranging from sophisticated navigation systems to smart braking controls.  These “smart” technologies include: electronic stability control systems  to prevent skids; technology that answers text messages so you can keep your eyes on the road; radar that  warns of other vehicles and objects that might cause a crash based on your speed and proximity; adaptive cruise control that adjusts speed to keep a safe distance between vehicles (one of the main defensive driving techniques) ; and sensors that help you navigate into parallel-parking spaces.

Some futurists predict a day when technology will connect intelligent vehicles with high-tech highways to provide a seamless flow of traffic.

Google also has been working on self-driving cars that use artificial-intelligence software. Still years from commercial production, the prototypes have shown promise. Seven Google test cars have driven 1,000 miles without a human in control.

Such cars could open up new transportation possibilities for people who are disabled or otherwise unable to drive. It’s even possible that “smart car” technology could lead to cheaper car-insurance rates.

But will all these changes steal the fun from driving? Does it take fun out of driving?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

ATTENTION CALIFORNIA DRIVERS

Traffic School Rule Change – Court Dismissal Changing to Conviction

Traffic School New Policy Effective July 1, 2011, California courts must report traffic safety violations as convictions. If the driver is eligible and completes a Traffic Violator School (TVS) course, the conviction will be masked on the driver record. The driver record will be checked to determine a driver’s eligibility to participate in a traffic school course.

A TVS conviction will not be masked if: • There is a prior TVS dismissal/conviction within the previous 18 months. • The conviction is a major (2 point) violation. • The driver holds a commercial driver license or was operating a commercial vehicle, at the time of the violation. A traffic school abstract of conviction will be the basis for assignment of negligent operator points on a person’s driving record.

Background The courts currently offer a driver cited for a traffic safety violation the option to attend a traffic school. When a driver completes the course, the court dismisses the violation and reports the dismissal to the DMV, preventing negligent operator points from being assigned, and the abstract from being the basis for suspension, revocation, or commercial disqualification actions.

What does it mean? – Many courts used to allow drivers to attend traffic school more than once every 18 month.  This option is now taken away from the courts and will be regulated by the DMV.   Courts also will not have an option to refer a defendant to traffic school for a more serious violation like DUI, Reckless Driving Etc.

Amy Locane-Bovenizer is facing manslaughter charges.

The 39-year-old mother of two pleaded not guilty to aggravated manslaughter and assault by auto charges, reports say.

Somerset County prosecutors say Locane-Bovenizer’s SUV hit the vehicle of 60-year-old Fred Seeman as he was turning into his driveway, breaking 10 of his ribs and killing his wife.

Officers detected alcohol on Locane-Bovenizer’s breath and arrested her, but she was shortly freed after posting $50,000 bail.

We talked about this subject before, but it never ceases to amaze and anger us.  We come across many people from different walks of life in our Traffic School. 
 

Especially when we teach our classes in Hollywood we see many celebrities come through our doors… Yes, celebrities too get traffic tickets. We’re all human and we totally understand an occasional speeding ticket.   But being a celebrity comes with certain responsibilities.  And while reckless driving (especially under the influence) is non- excusable for anyone…it’s especially troubling to see another celebrity making headlines…   For crying out loud… if you are going to have few cocktail – enjoy! – But get a Limo – you can afford it!

Q.  After completing the Defensive Driving  Course (aka as PIRP – Point and Insurance Reduction Course), how do I receive the insurance reduction?

A.   Upon completion Improv’s Defensive Driving course, we will issue you certificate of completion.   If you present your certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented.

Q.  Will the PIRP course prevent my insurance company from raising my premiums?

A.  No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium increases, or premium increases due to violations or accidents. However It provides a 10% reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

Q.  What if more than one person named on a policy completes the PIRP course?

A.  The insurance premium reduction applies to all motor vehicles principally operated by the motorist who completes the course.  The reduction can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.

Q.  If I complete a DMV approved motorcycle safety/accident prevention course, does the insurance reduction benefit extend to my automobile coverage?

A.  Yes. The reduction applies to the liability and collision insurance premiums for both your motorcycle and automobile.

Q.  Will young operators (under 18)  and drivers participating in assigned risk pool receive the insurance premium discount?

A.  Yes. Any insured driver who is the principal operator and completes a Point & Insurance Reduction Program course will receive the reduction.

Q.  If a youthful operator is already receiving a driver education reduction, will the PIRP discount also be applied?

A.  Check with your insurance company or agent to find out if both reductions will be given at the same time

New Car Buying Tips

Dealer add-ons – a value service or a rip-off?

As a traffic school experiment we recently ventured onto the dealer lot to purchase a Ford Fusion Hybrid, we noticed a small sheet of paper listing additional costs, posted next to the window sticker.

This innocent sheet of paper contained  two seemingly “valuable” add-ons,  adding $600 to the sticker price of the vehicle.  In the industry, this list of add-ons is called the “supplemental sticker ” We call it the “rip-off sticker”, you judge for yourself.

After-Market Add-Ons
This deceiving practice allows dealers to advertise a very low price for a vehicle (sometimes below a sticker).  Then use a  supplemental sticker to add  high-profit items that hold little or no value to the consumer. In our experiment case, the sticker added two products: an interior “protection” package, and an “Express Code Marking System.”

The interior protection package is a chemical sprayed on the vehicle’s upholstery  protect it from stains. Grand-Total: $195.   At first glance, seems like a bargain, who would want stains on their brand new upholstery?  But being scholars of a Defensive Driving School, we believe in research and facts.    A quick search online found a bottle of 3M Scotchgard Auto Interior Fabric Protector for about $9 on 3M’s website. This product promises the same advantages as the stuff sprayed onto your upholstery at the dealership, but costs $186 less.

The second product was the Express Code Marking System. This marking system consisted of a special label placed on key body parts of the vehicle that if removed, would leave the imprint of an ultraviolet identification number. It wouldn’t notify the police, ruin the part or make any sort of noise. The dealer was charging $400 for this product.  Now do  you really think that someone who is about to steal your car will pause and look if your car is code marked?  Chances are, if someone wants to take your car and chop it for parts they will… the fact that they won’t be able to re-sell parts won’t give you much comfort.  Certainly not $400 worth of comfort. In our humble opinion, if anyone should pay for this service, it should be your insurance company.  Your money would be much better spent taking an insurance discount course and saving additional $$$ on your auto premium.  Many states mandate insurance carriers to offer you an additional discount for taking a defensive driving course.

Working in traffic school we often hear nightmare stories from students who bought a used car that turned out to be a
lemon.   So we decided to take a little detour from our defensive driving courses and do some legal research.   Lemon laws protect new car buyers in every state in the nation, but it’s far more common for used car buyers to get stuck with an unreliable vehicle, or to incur repair bills that cost more than the car. For such unfortunate consumers, it often goes downhill from there.

Owners of lemons, as these cars are often called, must still make car payments while their vehicle sits idle. One-sided arbitration clauses — built into practically every dealer’s vehicle sales contract — work to keep many used car buyers from taking a case to court. Finally, a buyer may have to prove that the vehicle’s problems existed prior to the sale in order to get some compensation. These factors plus the subject’s complexity leave many American consumers in the lurch.

“Many of these cars are dangerous to drive,” according to John Van Alst, used car fraud expert with the National Consumer Law Center. “Even if not, when a car becomes inoperable, it becomes a liability instead of an asset.”

Although it’s not always the case, some of these used lemons are sold fraudulently, such as when a dealer fails to disclose the vehicle’s history, misrepresents the vehicle title or tampers with the odometer. Often, these dealers prey on the most vulnerable, low-income segment of the population.

A New Twist: Used Car Lemon Laws
The frequency and severity of consumers’ used car problems has led some state legislatures to pass new laws. Currently, though, only six states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York have lemon laws on the books. The laws provide a statutory used car warranty, often based upon the age or mileage of the vehicle. If the vehicle exhibits problems during the warranty period, the dealer is given a chance to repair them. If those fixes don’t work after several tries, the dealer usually must either replace the car or refund the buyer’s money.
At least seven states have some other form of used car buyers’ rights, requiring used car warranties or setting minimum standards for the sale of used cars: They are Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. Still other states, including North Carolina, have an Unfair and Deceptive Practices statute that can be invoked. But only those states with true used car lemon laws require the dealer to provide a replacement or refund for your car.

The Sorry State of Used Car Regulations
Van Alst feels that most states aren’t very effective at protecting used car buyers from the myriad ways they can be swindled. “Most existing used car lemon laws are so limited in scope — the number of days the car is covered and the allowable mileage — that the consumer may not experience the problem or won’t have a chance to act on the problem in that time period,” he said.

For example, Arizona law covers a used car only if a major component breaks within 15 days or 500 miles of its purchase — whichever comes first. For new cars, though, those terms extend to two years or 24,000 miles.

By contrast, many European consumers have stronger protections. In France, for example, a car buyer may cancel the transaction up to seven days after the sale. And a 1999 European Union directive allows consumers to seek redress for any problem that makes a vehicle unfit to drive for a full two years after the purchase.

As is always the case when buying a car, the only way to fully protect yourself is to come armed with information, most easily obtained on the Internet. Many consumer advocacy sites (such as The Center for AutoSafety) discuss new car lemon laws in detail, but obtaining information on used car laws is trickier. We found Car Lemon (an attorney referral site) and Autopedia to have the broadest information on states’ used vehicles lemon laws.

Is Geography Destiny?
What about U.S. consumers who don’t live in a state with a used car lemon law, or whose state law doesn’t cover their individual situation? In those cases, there are federal laws that may help:

• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) — Under the UCC, a used car sale automatically includes an implied warranty that the car is fit for transportation. However, used car dealers may “disclaim” (deny) the implied warranty if they sell the vehicle “as is” — which they typically do. In the few states that prohibit dealers from disclaiming the implied warranty (such as the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts and West Virginia), the UCC can be more effective than a used car lemon law would be.

• FTC Used Car Rule — The Federal Trade Commission requires dealers who sell six or more cars per year to post a in every used car that’s offered for sale. The guide must show whether the vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a used car warranty, what percentage (if any) of repair costs is covered by the dealer under the warranty, and a list of the major defects that can occur on used vehicles.

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (a.k.a. Federal Lemon Law) — This law prohibits the disclaimer of implied warranties when a car is sold with an express written warranty. It also provides for the awarding of attorney fees in particular cases.

How To Prepare for Battle
In order to determine if you truly have a lemon and to build a solid argument, make sure you’ve taken the following steps.

First, run vehicle history reports from Carfax and Autocheck. These reports expose many of the hidden problems associated with used cars, such as prior accidents and branded titles. Edmunds recommends buyers run both reports if possible, because they can sometimes uncover different information. An important fact to consider: U.S. states do not require insurance companies to report when they fix a vehicle, although Canada does.

Do not rely on reports alone. Take the car to a qualified mechanic and to a body shop that can spot signs of structural damage. Make sure they put it up on a lift. As with vehicle history reports, this is best done before the vehicle purchase, but it’s still critical to determine the source of the vehicle’s problem after you own it.

Document the vehicle’s service history and retain all work orders and receipts. Download or print a vehicle repair log from Fraud Guides or Microsoft.

If the dealer still won’t provide satisfaction, or if you suspect fraud, send a complaint to the vehicle’s manufacturer (in writing) and the state attorney general’s office or department of consumer protection. The federal government’s Consumer Action Web site provides detailed information on how and where to file complaints (including sample letters), dispute resolution services, small claims court and more.

Calling Out the Big Guns
You don’t necessarily have to engage a lawyer to fight for your rights; sometimes, a quick trip to small claims court will do the trick. But a good lemon law attorney can determine whether you’ve got a serious case (especially when safety is an issue) and can shepherd you through the legal process. Many lemon lawyers don’t charge client fees, hoping to collect instead from the defendant.

You can find lemon law specialists in your state through the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Free legal aid to low-income individuals is available through the non-profit Legal Services Corporation and National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

• For information on Alabama Speeding Ticket, click:
  Alabama Speeding Ticket? Fines Info & More

Edmunds.com estimates the average price paid for a used, three-year old auto has risen $1,471 — or 8.5 percent — since last year, reaching $18,832.

The price you’ll pay for used SUVs like this Chevy Tahoe may have risen substantially. What’s behind the rise? Edmunds analysts believe it’s a combination of bargain-hunting consumers and the rise of certified pre-owned car sales at dealerships:

“Used cars are in great demand and relatively short supply, so their prices are remarkably high,” stated Edmunds.com Analyst Joe Spina. “Automakers understand that many traditional new car buyers are considering used cars, and in response are emphasizing their certified pre-owned car sales programs through which they can earn revenue on used car sales. This effort will keep used car prices high since CPO cars sell for a higher price than comparable noncertified used cars, raising the ceiling for the entire used car market.”
Indeed, Edmunds.com estimates the percentage of used cars sold as CPO rose from 13.8 percent to 18.5 percent.

This data is interesting, but it doesn’t look like every used car buyer is likely to encounter sharply higher used-car prices than they did last year. And when they do, I’m not sure it will be because of CPO and frugal consumers.

After all, a lot of the biggest price hikes seem to be focused in trucks and SUVs, and I’d be willing to bet that has more to do with gas prices than anything else.

After all, the resale values for trucks and SUVs, which generally get poor gas mileage fell sharply in response to the gasoline price spikes of 2008.

Due to the depressed global economy and the resulting lack of demand, gas prices have been fairly stable since then. People, as they are wont to do, have forgotten how painful those big gas bills were back in 2008, so they’re more willing to buy SUVs and trucks than they were when gas prices were high.

The other big movers were American brands, which I would wager have benefitted from improved brand perception as American car buyers have taken notice of their reliability and design upgrades.

On the other hand, if your preferred car is a Japanese sedan or station wagon, you might be in luck. The Edmunds.com value estimates have the Honda Accord and the Subaru Outback coming in at a lower than last year.

We had a lot of spirited discussion in the comment section a few months ago about whether buying a new car could be financially smart if it was close to or less than the price of a used model thanks to a generous rebate or other dealer incentive.

I think in the majority of cases, buying a low-mileage used car is probably the better decision. That said, rising used car prices and higher rates on used car loans are going to change the equation a little bit on some vehicles, and refusing to acknowledge that could leave you missing out on getting a new car for the price of a used one.

So what do you think? Is it time for the frugal to consider new cars? Why do you think used cars are getting pricier? leave your comments here on our defensive driving course blog!

When you consider total cost of ownership like special financing programs, repairs, fuel efficiency, wear and tear…, purchasing a new car can make more sense than buying used. If you’re looking for practical and affordable, we got good news for you: you can still buy a good new car under $15,000. If you have a good credit and put some money down, you can be rolling in low budget style for less than the cost of breakfast and lunch out every day.

We included some choices on the list that include sedans, hatchbacks and coups. The prices are the sticker price for the cheapest version of the model, so you may be prepared to drive a stick shift and may forgo some luxuries like air conditioning.

Ranked in order of cheapest (don’t confuse with Best Value) to most expensive, the winners are:

1. 2010 Hyundai Accent Blue Coupe, $10,690.00

2. 2010 Nissan Versa 1.6 Base Sedan, $10,730.00

3. 2010 Kia Rio Base Sedan, $12,390.00

4. 2010 Chevy Aveo LS Sedan, $12,685.00

5. 2010 Chevy Aveo5 LS Hatchback, $12,835

6. 2010 Toyota Yaris 3 Door Hatchback, $13,365.00

7. 2010 Toyota Yaris 5 Door Hatchback, $13,665.00

8. 2010 Kia Soul Base, $13,995.00

10. 2010 Suzuki SX-4 Base Sedan, $14,094.00

The Suzuki SX-4 is one of the better looking cars on the list that also commands great reviews. But no air conditioning would be a deal breaker for us (considering our Defensive Driving Course Headquarters are in Los Angeles… where it hit 115F this summer).

Operating a traffic school, gives us an access to many experts and individuals with automotive expertise. A quick research has confirmed that if we were handing out the award for best value on the list, it would go the new Ford Fiesta S (which is the only 2011 model on the list). Ford packed a lot of extra goodies into the Fiesta, including power mirrors, capless gas filler, aux in / USB jacks and A/C, yet has managed to keep the price reasonable for the entry level model. Surprisingly it also offers a sportiest ride on the list. If you enjoy getting your freak on with a twisty road, this is where you should begin shopping.

Word of caution: it isn’t easy to find base models on dealer lots, since they take up as much room as loaded models, have less margin and can be hard to move. If you have to special order one, expect to pay full sticker price instead of haggling over invoice plus $500. On the other hand, sometimes a dealer can be very motivated to sell a year old entry level car, even if it’s in a higher trim level. It may take some time (and travel) to find exactly what you’re looking for, but we always thought that the hunt is half the fun.