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That motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for drivers aged 15-19 is known, but new research to determine the impact teen drivers have on others has found that they put everyone at risk. The majority of those killed and injured in crashes involving a teen driver are people other than the driver.
Those are among the findings of new report released on Wednesday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and education organization.
“Teen crash rates are higher than any other age group, and this data confirm that the impact of their crashes extend well beyond the teen who is behind the wheel,” Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation, said in a statement.
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After years of decline, U.S. highway fatalities have taken a jump in recent months, and that could be particularly bad news for men. Whether you blame testosterone or alcohol, male motorists are twice as likely to be killed behind the wheel as women, according to federal crash data.
Men tend to have more severe crashes than women, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. But in comparable crashes, women are more likely than men to be killed or injured. Separate studies have shown young men are particularly prone to being involved in fatal crashes, and the new NHTSA report indicates that the gap between men and women narrows with age.
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AT&T released a survey it commissioned saying drivers are increasingly using Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, while also taking selfies and shooting videos. The company has discouraged drivers from taking their eyes off the road, and teamed with Braun Research to poll people who own a smartphone and drive at least once a day.
Of those drivers, 27% ages 16 to 65 reported using Facebook behind the wheel, with 14% admitting to using Twitter. But of those, 30% said they were posting while driving “all the time.” Sigh. But that’s not all — chatting on video is also popular for drivers.
READ MORE about all the distracted drivers on the road today.
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Insurance companies gather a lot of information. Age, gender, the car you drive, your driving record, your zip code, and your credit rating (where it’s legal): It all influences insurance rates—and your relative risk, as insurers see it.
Placing bets on our likelihood of an accident is, after all, their business. Now through its ‘Snapshot’ driving-log device that mounts in your car, part of its optional (and potentially money-saving) Pay As You Drive program, Progressive is also gathering data on driving style and when you drive.
And it’s seeing some trends—most notably, perhaps that a habit of hard braking is a leading indicator that you’re more likely to be in an accident.
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Fleet World Was a Success!
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Exhibitors at this year’s Fleet Show at Silverstone have voted the event the best yet. Fleet Show director and Fleet World publisher Jerry Ramsdale said: “It is great to hear these accolades for an event that has now become firmly established as a key part of the fleet calendar.”
The plaudits have poured in from vehicle manufacturers and fleet service companies alike following this year’s action-packed event at Silverstone’s world-famous Grand Prix circuit, which was sponsored by Barclaycard Fuel+ in association with TMC. With next year’s event now confirmed for Wednesday, May 11, many exhibitors have already moved to re-book for next year on the back of this year’s success.
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A Prestigious Award for ARI
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ARI is pleased to announce that the company’s innovative driver safety program, ARI Driver Excellence®, has been recognized by IDG’s CIO magazine and honored with a 2015 CIO 100 Award.
Now in its 28th year, the CIO 100 Awards recognize organizations around the globe that effectively use information technology to create business value. ARI was recognized for the new, evolved version of its ARI Driver Excellence program, which now includes in-house development of online driver training modules and real-time data transparency of driver behavior for North American and UK fleets.
“We are honored to be recognized again by CIO magazine,” said Steve Haindl, executive vice president, technology and innovation, Holman Automotive Group, Inc.
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Do You Even Need Premium Fuel?
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Used to seeing three grades of gasoline at your local service station? Shell has begun introducing another, a premium-plus grade that the Dutch-based energy company claims can improve efficiency while also reducing engine wear.
Whether other oil companies will follow Shell’s lead remains to be seen, but the addition of the V-Power NiTRO+ could further confuse consumers who already may be wondering whether to fill up with regular, mid-grade or premium fuel.
While many buyers think they should “baby” their cars by going for a higher octane rating, experts suggest sticking with the fuel actually recommended by the manufacturer – and even downgrading on occasion.
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