How 2 Identify a Flood Damaged Car ? + more
#1
09-20-2009, 12:38 PM
How 2 Identify a Flood Damaged Car ? + more
Six Tips: How to Identify a Flood Damaged Car
Storms Raise Concerns Over Resale of Flooded Cars
by CarFax.com
Flood-damaged Vehicles - Vehicle Resources
Named #1 Auto Insurance Web Site for 2008 - Keynote ... Learn how to spot flood-damaged vehicles before purchasing a used car. ...
www.progressive.com/vehicle.../car-flood-damage.aspx - Cached - Similar
Tips on How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Vehicle
In their wake: a large number of flood-damaged vehicles. ... VIN through commercially available vehicle history reports like Carfax or Experian Auto Check. ...
www.nada.org/Advocacy+Outreach/.../Tips+-+English.htm - Cached - Similar
CARFAX Flood Car Tips: Avoid flood damaged cars, autos, vehicles
Flood damaged cars are often repaired and moved to other states where they are sold to unsuspecting buyers. CARFAX has these tips to help avoid flood cars.
www.carfax.com/car_buying/flood_damage_cars.cfx - Cached - Similar
Flood Damaged Vehicles
Advice on how to spot flood damaged vehicles and links to related web sites. ... Unscrupulous salvage yards and auto dealers often try to conceal the fact ...
www.dmvnv.com/floodvehicles.htm - Cached - Similar
Storms Raise Concerns Over Resale of Flooded Cars
by CarFax.com
Posted: 9/20/09 by the `Kid
After a relatively slow start, the storm season 2008 was one of the most destructive in recent memory. One of the statistics that's not generally reported in such natural disasters is the number of cars that are damaged by the floodwaters, often having been completely submerged.
Three storms in September alone battered the U.S. and soaked hundreds of thousands of cars. The Atlantic seaboard was littered with flooded cars in the wake of Tropical Storm Hanna, while vehicles from the Gulf Coast, from Galveston to New Orleans, and all the way up through Indiana were soaked by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike.
Let's also not forget Hurricane Fay's August assault on Florida and the floods that ravaged Midwest states like Iowa, Missouri and Illinois in June, turning thousands of vehicles in those states into waterlogged wrecks.
The number of flood damaged cars on the market more than doubled from 2002-2006 and these powerful storms are likely to result in even more being resold -- often thousands of miles away from where they were damaged. A flooded car from Houston or Cedar Rapids, Iowa is more likely to wind up for sale somewhere in Arizona, New York or California than it is locally.
Despite the fact that most flood damaged vehicles from Hurricane Ike and other storms will be written off by insurance companies, some will make their way back onto the used car market, cleaned up and disguised as regular used cars with clean titles. Flood damage can be difficult to spot because typically there's little physical damage; a car that's been underwater literally will rot from the inside out.
Consumers shopping for a used car should be on high alert for signs of flood damage and potential fraud. Flood damage information is reported to Carfax from all 50 state DMVs and, as a service to consumers everywhere, is available for free at www.carfax.com/flood.
Carfax also offers these tips to help consumers spot signs of possible water damage:
- Check the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard, and below the seats for signs of water damage such as silt, mud or rust.
After a relatively slow start, the storm season 2008 was one of the most destructive in recent memory. One of the statistics that's not generally reported in such natural disasters is the number of cars that are damaged by the floodwaters, often having been completely submerged.
Three storms in September alone battered the U.S. and soaked hundreds of thousands of cars. The Atlantic seaboard was littered with flooded cars in the wake of Tropical Storm Hanna, while vehicles from the Gulf Coast, from Galveston to New Orleans, and all the way up through Indiana were soaked by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike.
Let's also not forget Hurricane Fay's August assault on Florida and the floods that ravaged Midwest states like Iowa, Missouri and Illinois in June, turning thousands of vehicles in those states into waterlogged wrecks.
The number of flood damaged cars on the market more than doubled from 2002-2006 and these powerful storms are likely to result in even more being resold -- often thousands of miles away from where they were damaged. A flooded car from Houston or Cedar Rapids, Iowa is more likely to wind up for sale somewhere in Arizona, New York or California than it is locally.
Despite the fact that most flood damaged vehicles from Hurricane Ike and other storms will be written off by insurance companies, some will make their way back onto the used car market, cleaned up and disguised as regular used cars with clean titles. Flood damage can be difficult to spot because typically there's little physical damage; a car that's been underwater literally will rot from the inside out.
Consumers shopping for a used car should be on high alert for signs of flood damage and potential fraud. Flood damage information is reported to Carfax from all 50 state DMVs and, as a service to consumers everywhere, is available for free at www.carfax.com/flood.
Carfax also offers these tips to help consumers spot signs of possible water damage:
- Check the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard, and below the seats for signs of water damage such as silt, mud or rust.
- Examine upholstery and carpeting closely; if it doesn't match the interior or fits loosely, it may have been replaced. Discolored, faded or stained materials could indicate water damage.
- Turn the ignition key and make sure that accessory and warning lights and gauges work properly. Make sure the air bag and ABS lights come on and go off.
- Test power and electronics systems such as interior/exterior lights, windows and door locks, radio, cigarette lighter, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.
- Flex some of the wires beneath the dashboard. Wet wires will become brittle once dry and may crack.
- Take a whiff for musty odors or strong perfumes used to mask the smell of mildew.
Always ask the seller to see a detailed Carfax Vehicle History Report or order one at www.carfax.com. Carfax Reports can reveal many hidden problems from a vehicle's past, including flood titles, salvage, odometer problems and much more. Just as important, go to a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection before handing over any money.
Always ask the seller to see a detailed Carfax Vehicle History Report or order one at www.carfax.com. Carfax Reports can reveal many hidden problems from a vehicle's past, including flood titles, salvage, odometer problems and much more. Just as important, go to a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection before handing over any money.
Flood-damaged Vehicles - Vehicle Resources
Named #1 Auto Insurance Web Site for 2008 - Keynote ... Learn how to spot flood-damaged vehicles before purchasing a used car. ...
www.progressive.com/vehicle.../car-flood-damage.aspx - Cached - Similar
Tips on How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Vehicle
In their wake: a large number of flood-damaged vehicles. ... VIN through commercially available vehicle history reports like Carfax or Experian Auto Check. ...
www.nada.org/Advocacy+Outreach/.../Tips+-+English.htm - Cached - Similar
CARFAX Flood Car Tips: Avoid flood damaged cars, autos, vehicles
Flood damaged cars are often repaired and moved to other states where they are sold to unsuspecting buyers. CARFAX has these tips to help avoid flood cars.
www.carfax.com/car_buying/flood_damage_cars.cfx - Cached - Similar
Flood Damaged Vehicles
Advice on how to spot flood damaged vehicles and links to related web sites. ... Unscrupulous salvage yards and auto dealers often try to conceal the fact ...
www.dmvnv.com/floodvehicles.htm - Cached - Similar
Last edited by Space; 09-20-2009 at 12:54 PM.
#2
09-20-2009, 12:41 PM
Top 10 Best Car Names
Think about celebs with cool names, names completely in sync their personalities: Jay-Z, Kat Von D, Slash; they're much more fitting than Shawn Corey Carter, Katherine Von Drachenberg and Saul Hudson.
Despite what Ford, Lincoln and Mercury have demonstrated in recent years, it's critical for automakers to pick the best car name and stick with them (are you listening, Dearborn?). You can't stick a lame name on a cool car and you can't stick a cool name on a lame car. Here are 10 of the best car names out there.
10 - Dodge Swinger (1969-1976)
Whether or not these were intentionally bought by those pursuing a less vanilla life, we can't say, but the Swinger was one of Dodge's best car names. Not that it was one of the division's best cars, which explains why it's our No. 10. Thing was, nobody at the time paid inordinate attention to the moniker given to two-door Dart models. If anything, it was the Demon that got negative attention from conservative groups.
9 - Porsche Carrera 1956-Present
One of the best car names has never enjoyed continual presence. Since the now-famous script appeared on the fenders of a few special Porsche 356s in 1956, the Carrera (Spanish for "race") name has generally denoted a special, even more potent edition. Even if you didn't know what the name meant, it simply sounded fast. Seen most recently on the over-the-top Carrera GT, it's one of the best car names and also one of the most enduring.
8 - Bugatti Veyron (2006-Present)
The Bugatti name is magical to enthusiasts, so it takes a great model name -- and one breaking from the "EB" designation -- to stand well with the marque. However, one of the best car names is not necessarily as far removed from the automaker as you might think. The car's name comes from Pierre Veyron, Bugatti wheelman and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939.
7 - Chevrolet Corvette (1953-Present)
Some have shrugged this off as an imaginary name that just sounds cool and nothing more, but it's a real term for a small warship. Not so far out of place, when you think about it. Harley Earl may have designed it and Zora Arkus-Duntov later refined it, but it was GM employee Myron Scott who christened the two-seat fiberglass curiosity. Over half a century later, it's more or less impossible to think Corvette without thinking speed. That's indeed a sign of one of the best car names.
6 - Dodge Viper (1992-Present)
Dodge was an unlikely candidate for a serious performance car in the early '90s, but thanks to an impressive car and a great name, Viper is worthy of its place as one of the best car names. Known as Copperhead in prototype form before adopting its production name, the reptilian references were just a nod to the look of the car's front end. The Viper name quickly signified more though, as an untamed creature on the edge of control.
5 - Lamborghini Countach (1974-1990)
In a break from Lamborghini tradition of bullfighting-inspired model names, Countach is an Italian exclamation for something beautiful, striking and dead sexy. It was that very interjection at the sight of an early example that led to one of the best car names. For those unfamiliar with Italian colloquialisms, it also became one of the most mispronounced car names. Enlightenment sometimes has a trickle-down effect, and it's been years since we've heard anyone call it a "cown-tack." Thankfully.
4 - Shelby American Cobra (1962-1967)
Carroll Shelby said the Cobra name came to him in a dream; kind of ironic for a car that's anything but peaceful. Regardless of the moment of inspiration, the application makes Cobra one of the best car names. We're talking, of course, of the original AC-bodied Cobras. Ford has liberally used the name on various Mustangs since the '60s, but they're a far cry from the curvaceous yet venomous roadsters that spelled trouble for Corvette owners of the era.
3 - Ferrari Testarossa (1984-1996)
It’s just "red head" in Italian, for the color painted on the cam covers. However, tradition and the beauty of the language make this one of the best car names out there. It's also no accident that the mid-engine coupe is named so similarly to the Testa Rossa race cars of the late '50s. What's more, the moniker was more than a painted-on gimmick. This was, after all, a 12-cylinder Ferrari. Say what you will about the design, exotic performance will always be associated with this car name.
2. Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966)
Automakers have attempted to convey senses of calm and luxury in their cars for decades, but Rolls-Royce is one of the few whose names are as legendary as their models. This car is sterling, and it is soft. Any questions? Not to be confused with the more familiar Silver Shadow that followed, the Silver Cloud hearkens back to a time when Old Money was still Old Money -- just a little less so. It's appropriate for a car that looks like an old bank building on wheels, with approximate size to match.
1 - Ford Mustang (1964-Present)
Said to have been named after the celebrated World War II fighter plane, but publicly marketed with equine overtones, the Mustang name has evoked thoughts of freedom and the open road for generations of drivers. Names like Boss, Cobra and Shelby have signified some even higher-performing 'Stangs along the way; yet even on its own, Mustang is all that's really mattered. The original pony car is still arguably the best, as is its name.
Think about celebs with cool names, names completely in sync their personalities: Jay-Z, Kat Von D, Slash; they're much more fitting than Shawn Corey Carter, Katherine Von Drachenberg and Saul Hudson.
Despite what Ford, Lincoln and Mercury have demonstrated in recent years, it's critical for automakers to pick the best car name and stick with them (are you listening, Dearborn?). You can't stick a lame name on a cool car and you can't stick a cool name on a lame car. Here are 10 of the best car names out there.
10 - Dodge Swinger (1969-1976)
Whether or not these were intentionally bought by those pursuing a less vanilla life, we can't say, but the Swinger was one of Dodge's best car names. Not that it was one of the division's best cars, which explains why it's our No. 10. Thing was, nobody at the time paid inordinate attention to the moniker given to two-door Dart models. If anything, it was the Demon that got negative attention from conservative groups.
9 - Porsche Carrera 1956-Present
One of the best car names has never enjoyed continual presence. Since the now-famous script appeared on the fenders of a few special Porsche 356s in 1956, the Carrera (Spanish for "race") name has generally denoted a special, even more potent edition. Even if you didn't know what the name meant, it simply sounded fast. Seen most recently on the over-the-top Carrera GT, it's one of the best car names and also one of the most enduring.
8 - Bugatti Veyron (2006-Present)
The Bugatti name is magical to enthusiasts, so it takes a great model name -- and one breaking from the "EB" designation -- to stand well with the marque. However, one of the best car names is not necessarily as far removed from the automaker as you might think. The car's name comes from Pierre Veyron, Bugatti wheelman and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939.
7 - Chevrolet Corvette (1953-Present)
Some have shrugged this off as an imaginary name that just sounds cool and nothing more, but it's a real term for a small warship. Not so far out of place, when you think about it. Harley Earl may have designed it and Zora Arkus-Duntov later refined it, but it was GM employee Myron Scott who christened the two-seat fiberglass curiosity. Over half a century later, it's more or less impossible to think Corvette without thinking speed. That's indeed a sign of one of the best car names.
6 - Dodge Viper (1992-Present)
Dodge was an unlikely candidate for a serious performance car in the early '90s, but thanks to an impressive car and a great name, Viper is worthy of its place as one of the best car names. Known as Copperhead in prototype form before adopting its production name, the reptilian references were just a nod to the look of the car's front end. The Viper name quickly signified more though, as an untamed creature on the edge of control.
5 - Lamborghini Countach (1974-1990)
In a break from Lamborghini tradition of bullfighting-inspired model names, Countach is an Italian exclamation for something beautiful, striking and dead sexy. It was that very interjection at the sight of an early example that led to one of the best car names. For those unfamiliar with Italian colloquialisms, it also became one of the most mispronounced car names. Enlightenment sometimes has a trickle-down effect, and it's been years since we've heard anyone call it a "cown-tack." Thankfully.
4 - Shelby American Cobra (1962-1967)
Carroll Shelby said the Cobra name came to him in a dream; kind of ironic for a car that's anything but peaceful. Regardless of the moment of inspiration, the application makes Cobra one of the best car names. We're talking, of course, of the original AC-bodied Cobras. Ford has liberally used the name on various Mustangs since the '60s, but they're a far cry from the curvaceous yet venomous roadsters that spelled trouble for Corvette owners of the era.
3 - Ferrari Testarossa (1984-1996)
It’s just "red head" in Italian, for the color painted on the cam covers. However, tradition and the beauty of the language make this one of the best car names out there. It's also no accident that the mid-engine coupe is named so similarly to the Testa Rossa race cars of the late '50s. What's more, the moniker was more than a painted-on gimmick. This was, after all, a 12-cylinder Ferrari. Say what you will about the design, exotic performance will always be associated with this car name.
2. Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966)
Automakers have attempted to convey senses of calm and luxury in their cars for decades, but Rolls-Royce is one of the few whose names are as legendary as their models. This car is sterling, and it is soft. Any questions? Not to be confused with the more familiar Silver Shadow that followed, the Silver Cloud hearkens back to a time when Old Money was still Old Money -- just a little less so. It's appropriate for a car that looks like an old bank building on wheels, with approximate size to match.
1 - Ford Mustang (1964-Present)
Said to have been named after the celebrated World War II fighter plane, but publicly marketed with equine overtones, the Mustang name has evoked thoughts of freedom and the open road for generations of drivers. Names like Boss, Cobra and Shelby have signified some even higher-performing 'Stangs along the way; yet even on its own, Mustang is all that's really mattered. The original pony car is still arguably the best, as is its name.
#3
09-20-2009, 12:44 PM
Worst States For Drunken Driving
by Samuel Warren
If you want to avoid liquored-up drivers this holiday season, steer clear of Montana.
In 2007, the state reported 106 fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver who was legally drunk. That comes out to 11.07 drunken driving-related deaths that year for every 100,000 people living in the 957, 861-person state. What's more, that number is up slightly; in 2006, Montana reported 10.9 drunken driving-related fatalities per capita.
In Pictures: Worst States For Drunken Driving
One reason: With less than a million citizens stretched across 146,000 square miles, Montana faces distinctly rural challenges.
"Eighty percent of travel in Montana is on rural roads," says Jim Lynch, director of Montana's Department of Transportation, head of its Highway Traffic Safety Office, and the governors' representative for highway safety, "So most crashes involve speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour. A more urban state like Massachusetts has less than 6% of its drivers on rural roads--the majority of its traffic is in urban environments at slow speeds. We also have much longer emergency response times because of the distance; the average response time in Massachusetts is about 20 minutes, while in Montana it's an hour and 20 minutes. So an accident in Montana is far more likely to be life-threatening."
Cautious drivers won't find a haven in South Carolina either. At 10.5 alcohol-related fatalities per 100,000 people, this state falls just behind Montana for most drunken driving deaths.
Mississippi, Wyoming and Louisiana round out the top five, with 10.35, 9.37 and 8.57 per capita fatalities, respectively.
Many factors contribute to these rates, which jump during the holiday season when the highest number of drivers are on the road.
"We are unsure of whether the drivers are more at risk during the holidays," says Ellen Martin, the spokeswoman for the National Highway Transit Safety Administration, "but the absolute number of people dying is greater than on most days."
Wyoming's status as a "bridge"--where many travelers are passing through--contributes to the number of fatalities. (Wyoming has the lowest population of any state, with only 522,830 residents as of 2007.)
However, the folks at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) cite its law against sobriety checkpoints as a bigger problem. Ten states, including Wyoming, deem these checkpoints--where police officers will stop vehicles to determine the drivers' sobriety--unconstitutional, despite a 1990 United States Supreme Court ruling saying otherwise.
Behind the Numbers
To determine which states had the highest drunken driving death tolls, we looked at the number of drunken driving-related fatalities in each state according to a compilation of motor-vehicle crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. Released in August by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, an office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the numbers reflect fatalities in 2007.
We then multiplied by 100,000 and divided the result by the Census population estimates for 2007. This determined the states with the most accident-related fatalities per capita where at least one driver had a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more.
Although the number of motor vehicle fatalities, both overall and due to impaired or drunken driving, fell in 2007 compared to 2006, NHTSA's Martin does not consider this drop a trend.
"Alcohol-related vehicle accident numbers have not been tilting downward over the last decade," says Martin. "We're hopeful that we may see a downward trend, but police are dealing with more and more hardcore drinkers as years go by."
To counteract this, the NHTSA and other organizations are implementing preventive measures.
"We know that our high-visibility enforcement campaigns and our advertising campaigns that focus on young males and motorcycle riders have been very effective," says Martin.
Several recent laws aimed at reducing the number of drunken drivers have also been enacted. They include new open container legislation and a graduated driver's license law in which licensed minors must log driving hours with a parent in the vehicle and can't drive at night or with passengers without an adult in Montana and a new DUI law and underage drinking legislation in South Carolina.
Misty Morse, a spokeswoman for MADD, says that the organization uses about 38 tests to determine each state's progress when it comes to preventing drunken driving deaths. She says there are a few key laws that make a difference.
Along with laws that insist on sobriety checkpoints, an ignition interlock device can also prove effective, says Morse. The gadget, similar to a Breathalyzer, is installed in the dashboard. For the car to start, the driver must breathe into the device. Too much alcohol on the breath? The car won't start.
"We've found that when convicted drunken drivers are given a short, hard license suspension with a longer period of time where they cannot drive without breathing into an interlock, the state's drunken driving fatalities are lower," says Morse.
New York state exemplifies the benefits of more stringent laws. Following its 4.8% drop in drunken driving-related fatalities from 2005 to 2006, the state's rate fell 3.3% further to 1.99 fatalities per capita in 2007. That's among the smallest number in the country. MADD says the state's success is due to the strong presence of sobriety checkpoints and interlock devices.
Ken Brown, spokesman for the New York State Department of Transportation, credits the state's success to its prevention efforts. According to Brown, New York tackles drunken driving and other safety issues using the "4 Es:" education, enforcement, engineering and emergency services.
"We also have six crackdown periods," he says. "Our next will run from before Thanksgiving to New Years' Day--where local law enforcement uses saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints. Our crackdowns are very effective: They remind drivers that 'We're out there, and we're going to get you.' "
The urban population also helps the state's record. Of the 19.3 million people in New York, about 8 million live in New York City. Of those 8 million, more than 75% do not own a car, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
But with 1.93 alcohol-related vehicle fatalities per 100,000 people, Utah residents have the least to fear from drunken drivers.
"We have very successful, high-visibility law enforcement activities and we don't let DUIs slide for any reason," says Teri Pectol, program manager of the Impaired Driving and Youth Alcohol Programs in Utah. "We've done more DUI checkpoints this year than we have in a long time."
Pectol adds that Utah's abstinent Mormon population also contributes to the state's low numbers.
But it's perhaps a community's acceptance of drunk driving that most affects a regions rates.
In Pictures: Worst States For Drunken Driving
"Social norms and cultural factors have a big impact on drinking and driving rates," says Martin. "It's not considered wrong in some places to drink and drive; people view it with a wink and a nod. These social norms can be changed. We've advanced the ball significantly for using seat belts, and that's a social norm. But alcohol is much tougher, because many people are addicted."
Read More Stories at AOL Autos:
- Buy American or Get Out?
- Plug-In Hybrids: What does the future hold?
- GM Turns 100: 11 Most Influential Vehicles
by Samuel Warren
If you want to avoid liquored-up drivers this holiday season, steer clear of Montana.
In 2007, the state reported 106 fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver who was legally drunk. That comes out to 11.07 drunken driving-related deaths that year for every 100,000 people living in the 957, 861-person state. What's more, that number is up slightly; in 2006, Montana reported 10.9 drunken driving-related fatalities per capita.
In Pictures: Worst States For Drunken Driving
One reason: With less than a million citizens stretched across 146,000 square miles, Montana faces distinctly rural challenges.
"Eighty percent of travel in Montana is on rural roads," says Jim Lynch, director of Montana's Department of Transportation, head of its Highway Traffic Safety Office, and the governors' representative for highway safety, "So most crashes involve speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour. A more urban state like Massachusetts has less than 6% of its drivers on rural roads--the majority of its traffic is in urban environments at slow speeds. We also have much longer emergency response times because of the distance; the average response time in Massachusetts is about 20 minutes, while in Montana it's an hour and 20 minutes. So an accident in Montana is far more likely to be life-threatening."
Cautious drivers won't find a haven in South Carolina either. At 10.5 alcohol-related fatalities per 100,000 people, this state falls just behind Montana for most drunken driving deaths.
Mississippi, Wyoming and Louisiana round out the top five, with 10.35, 9.37 and 8.57 per capita fatalities, respectively.
Many factors contribute to these rates, which jump during the holiday season when the highest number of drivers are on the road.
"We are unsure of whether the drivers are more at risk during the holidays," says Ellen Martin, the spokeswoman for the National Highway Transit Safety Administration, "but the absolute number of people dying is greater than on most days."
Wyoming's status as a "bridge"--where many travelers are passing through--contributes to the number of fatalities. (Wyoming has the lowest population of any state, with only 522,830 residents as of 2007.)
However, the folks at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) cite its law against sobriety checkpoints as a bigger problem. Ten states, including Wyoming, deem these checkpoints--where police officers will stop vehicles to determine the drivers' sobriety--unconstitutional, despite a 1990 United States Supreme Court ruling saying otherwise.
Behind the Numbers
To determine which states had the highest drunken driving death tolls, we looked at the number of drunken driving-related fatalities in each state according to a compilation of motor-vehicle crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. Released in August by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, an office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the numbers reflect fatalities in 2007.
We then multiplied by 100,000 and divided the result by the Census population estimates for 2007. This determined the states with the most accident-related fatalities per capita where at least one driver had a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more.
Although the number of motor vehicle fatalities, both overall and due to impaired or drunken driving, fell in 2007 compared to 2006, NHTSA's Martin does not consider this drop a trend.
"Alcohol-related vehicle accident numbers have not been tilting downward over the last decade," says Martin. "We're hopeful that we may see a downward trend, but police are dealing with more and more hardcore drinkers as years go by."
To counteract this, the NHTSA and other organizations are implementing preventive measures.
"We know that our high-visibility enforcement campaigns and our advertising campaigns that focus on young males and motorcycle riders have been very effective," says Martin.
Several recent laws aimed at reducing the number of drunken drivers have also been enacted. They include new open container legislation and a graduated driver's license law in which licensed minors must log driving hours with a parent in the vehicle and can't drive at night or with passengers without an adult in Montana and a new DUI law and underage drinking legislation in South Carolina.
Misty Morse, a spokeswoman for MADD, says that the organization uses about 38 tests to determine each state's progress when it comes to preventing drunken driving deaths. She says there are a few key laws that make a difference.
Along with laws that insist on sobriety checkpoints, an ignition interlock device can also prove effective, says Morse. The gadget, similar to a Breathalyzer, is installed in the dashboard. For the car to start, the driver must breathe into the device. Too much alcohol on the breath? The car won't start.
"We've found that when convicted drunken drivers are given a short, hard license suspension with a longer period of time where they cannot drive without breathing into an interlock, the state's drunken driving fatalities are lower," says Morse.
New York state exemplifies the benefits of more stringent laws. Following its 4.8% drop in drunken driving-related fatalities from 2005 to 2006, the state's rate fell 3.3% further to 1.99 fatalities per capita in 2007. That's among the smallest number in the country. MADD says the state's success is due to the strong presence of sobriety checkpoints and interlock devices.
Ken Brown, spokesman for the New York State Department of Transportation, credits the state's success to its prevention efforts. According to Brown, New York tackles drunken driving and other safety issues using the "4 Es:" education, enforcement, engineering and emergency services.
"We also have six crackdown periods," he says. "Our next will run from before Thanksgiving to New Years' Day--where local law enforcement uses saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints. Our crackdowns are very effective: They remind drivers that 'We're out there, and we're going to get you.' "
The urban population also helps the state's record. Of the 19.3 million people in New York, about 8 million live in New York City. Of those 8 million, more than 75% do not own a car, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
But with 1.93 alcohol-related vehicle fatalities per 100,000 people, Utah residents have the least to fear from drunken drivers.
"We have very successful, high-visibility law enforcement activities and we don't let DUIs slide for any reason," says Teri Pectol, program manager of the Impaired Driving and Youth Alcohol Programs in Utah. "We've done more DUI checkpoints this year than we have in a long time."
Pectol adds that Utah's abstinent Mormon population also contributes to the state's low numbers.
But it's perhaps a community's acceptance of drunk driving that most affects a regions rates.
In Pictures: Worst States For Drunken Driving
"Social norms and cultural factors have a big impact on drinking and driving rates," says Martin. "It's not considered wrong in some places to drink and drive; people view it with a wink and a nod. These social norms can be changed. We've advanced the ball significantly for using seat belts, and that's a social norm. But alcohol is much tougher, because many people are addicted."
Read More Stories at AOL Autos:
- Buy American or Get Out?
- Plug-In Hybrids: What does the future hold?
- GM Turns 100: 11 Most Influential Vehicles
#4
09-20-2009, 01:54 PM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Bushkill, PA
Posts: 3,279
-OR- there is a pretty good chance of it being a flood vehicle if the seller tells you hees willing to accept the cash but " you should bring your scuba gear " when you go to pick it up 
LOL `Ryan
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