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What a terrible feeling. You walk outside, ready to head out to work or maybe to a friend’s house, and your vehicle is gone. Auto theft is a $6.4-billion-per-year problem. In fact, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration built a handy infographic to illustrate just how big of a problem vehicle theft has become.

For example, in the time it took you to read this far, one vehicle has been stolen – statistics show that one motor vehicle is stolen in the U.S. every 33 seconds. By the time you’ve finished this post, there is a good chance two or three vehicles will have been lifted. And if you’ve already been relieved of the ownership of your vehicle, there is only a 57-percent chance of getting it back.

The likelihood of getting your vehicle stolen varies depending upon the state you live in. NHTSA tells us that California has the highest auto theft rates, followed by Florida, Texas, Illinois and Georgia. And if you live in Laredo, Texas, we’d suggest getting a club, and a lojack…. maybe throw in a pit bull to stand guard. After all, this Lone Star town has the highest auto theft rate in the nation. And we thought Laredo was best known for its authentic Tex-Mex…

While auto thefts are a huge problem, NHTSA points out that nearly half of all thefts occur because of mistakes like leaving the keys in the ignition or leaving the doors unlocked. Click on the image to the right to enlarge and take a closer look at some very sobering motor vehicle theft statistics.

Infographic: NHTSA helps you crack down on auto theft

Every year, the United States loses in the neighborhood of 30,000 people to traffic accidents. That’s like the entire population of a medium-sized town being wiped out annually. The number of deaths not only wreaks havoc with families, but it puts a strain on our economy.

In recognition of the rising costs of traffic fatalities – not just in the U.S., but globally – the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011-2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The ten-year span will be marked by increased consciousness of driving habits, road conditions and vehicle safety. In honor of the event, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has put together some alarming statistics.

In 2005, traffic deaths wound up costing just over $41 billion in medical bills and work lost. Yes, that’s billion with a “B.” According to the CDC, 10 states stood head and shoulders above the rest in monetary losses. Those were: California, at $4.16 billion, Texas, at $3.50 billion, Florida, at 3.16 billion, Georgia, at $1.55 billion, Pennsylvania, at $1.52 billion, North Carolina, at $1.50 billion, New York, at $1.33 billion, Illinois, at $1.32 billion, Ohio, at $1.23 billion and Tennessee, at $1.15 billion.

Though these 10 states handily outranked the others, the CDC tallied up the monetary total for all of the 50 states. To see how your home state fared, check out the CDC website. If the U.S. can rack up such an alarming total by itself, we shudder to think what the global costs of car wrecks is.

How much do traffic deaths cost your state? CDC has the answer

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has updated the motorcycle helmet law in an attempt to stop people from wearing improperly certified helmets and novelty helmets. The law doesn’t change the construction of helmets directly, but changes the way they’re labeled, to make it more difficult to mimic DOT compliance certifications.

Now, helmets that conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 will carry a sticker with the manufacturer’s name, the helmet model and the words “DOT FMVSS No. 218 Certified.” The move to make helmets safer comes after the number of riders sporting unsafe and novelty brain buckets increased dramatically in 2010 over 2009.

According to NHTSA statistics, in 2010, only 54 percent of motorcyclists wore a DOT-approved lid. Around 14 percent wore a novelty helmet, and 32 percent went without a helmet altogether. In 2009, those numbers were 67 percent, 9 percent and 24 percent. In 2010, 75 percent of riders who did elect to wear a helmet wore a DOT-compliant one. In 2009, that number was 86 percent.

NHTSA updating motorcycle helmet laws

Declining Highway Death Rate Challenges Distracted Driving Fears

My weekend nearly got off to a disastrous start when a driver, busy texting, suddenly realized he was going to miss his exit. At the last possible moment, he slammed his brakes and surged across four lanes of traffic, avoiding the need to go a few miles out of the way – but nearly touching off a multi-car accident in the process.

We’ve all seen the texters, the women putting on makeup, the guys checking their sports scores. Heck, a woman in Florida recently crashed while giving herself a bikini shave. But are we experiencing, as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood puts it, “a deadly epidemic” of distracted driving – one that can only be addressed by the most draconian of new laws?

There’s no question that there are some things you just shouldn’t be doing behind the wheel, and few would argue against the laws that many states have passed prohibiting motorists from texting while driving. But what other steps are needed? The latest federal data on highway fatalities suggests we’ve probably gone far enough – and that the distracted driving debate is being marred by an overdose of hype and hysteria.

Continue reading…

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don’t statistics show it?

Opinion: If distracted driving is such an epidemic, why don’t statistics show it?

“Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz“. Janice Joplin’s words may seem entertaining to some, but strikingly familiar to anyone who’s gone through the ordeal of ushering their teenager into the world of driving. While most parents wouldn’t consider buying their teen a Mercedes as a first car – at least, not a new one – the automaker is offering the next best thing. And in many ways, it’s even better.

Armed with statistics of teenage driving accidents and the success of a similar program in the UK, Mercedes-Benz USA is preparing to launch its own teen driving school right here in the United States. The program is aimed at turning new drivers into safer drivers through an advanced curriculum that goes over and above what’s mandated by the state in order to fulfill the basic requirements for a driver’s license. Going even further, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is negotiating with local DMVs across the country over integrating its program with the existing mandatory process to create an all-encompassing program.

If it achieves the same goals as it has in the UK, opening an advanced driving school for teens in America strikes us as one of the best safety features Mercedes-Benz has come up with yet. For the company that pioneered ABS brakes, crumple zones, stability control, brake assist and traction control, that’s no mean feat. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz to launch teen driving school

Mercedes-Benz to launch teen driving school

You’ve likely seen plenty of news lately about how Japanese automakers have been affected by the March 11 earthquake in Japan, but what about the rest of the industry? The Detroit News reports that research firm IHS Automotive thinks that global auto production could drop by 30 percent, and nearly every major automaker will be affected.

The key to that dire prediction will be the speed with which Japanese suppliers can get back to making parts for the industry. IHS Vice President Michael Robinet reportedly told DetNews that if suppliers aren’t online within six weeks, global vehicle production could drop by 100,000 units per day. With average total production sitting at 280,000 to 300,000 units per day, 100,000 represents about 30 percent of all vehicles built. Robinet adds that if parts don’t start coming online quickly, automakers will begin feeling the pinch by mid-April.

IHS points to electronics and transmission components as the most likely to run dry. And that 30-percent figure could morph into 40 percent if automakers can’t get replacement parts within eight weeks.

Sobering statistics, indeed. We’re thinking automakers are hoping Japan can rebuild factories as quickly (and miraculously) as it can rebuild highways.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Study: Worldwide auto production could drop 30% due to quake in Japan

Not to be a total buzzkill, but before we tell you about Mugen and its plans to create a hotter Honda CR-Z hatchback, there’s one little line in the automaker’s press release that needs to be noted in italicized type:

At this stage, the CR-Z Mugen is being developed purely as a one-off prototype, with no plans for a production version.

Drat.

Honda may call its 2011 CR-Z a “sport hybrid,” but ever since our first time behind the wheel, we’ve felt more than a little disappointed. It’s an enjoyable enough steer, but remains in dire need of some more oomph, and even with the automaker’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system on board, the resulting fuel economy isn’t as great as one might expect for a car of its size and utility.

Honda tuning house Mugen Euro is set to rectify the need for a CR-Z with more spice – in concept form, anyway – with a hotted-up hatch that will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Mugen will offer enhancements for the CR-Z’s 1.5-liter engine and IMA system to boost both horsepower and torque – creating “Type R-like performance” – while new brakes and suspension geometry will better communicate the added power to the driver. Mugen even says that these changes could result in improved fuel economy, though no official statistics have been divulged as of this writing.

So what if there aren’t any plans for production (just yet). At least we know Honda has heard our cries. Follow the jump for the full press blast.

Live images copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Mugen Euro]

Continue reading Mugen promises “Type R-like” performance from hotted-up Honda CR-Z

Mugen promises “Type R-like” performance from hotted-up Honda CR-Z

If Volkswagen has taught us anything, it’s that you can never be too rich or have too many high-dollar automakers under your umbrella. Europe’s largest auto group already encompasses Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley, is in the process of absorbing Porsche, and makes a couple more six-figure sports cars with Audi badges. But according to reports coming in from Europe, VW has its eyes set on acquiring yet another top-dollar automaker: Ferrari.

Given that it already owns Maranello’s most direct competitor, you might be inclined to file this report in the “wild rumor of the day” category and be done with it. And while you’d certainly be justified, there’s a whole lot of eyebrow-raising statistics surrounding this report. Rival Fiat group has been looking for ways to raise capital to keep both itself and Chrysler going, and selling stake in Ferrari has been tipped as a possible avenue. Reports have also linked Volkswagen – which reportedly has some $27 billion in cash on hand – with a possible Alfa Romeo takeover.

For his part, Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says neither is on the table, but Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech has shown us nothing if not a penchant for buying up any brands he fancies. Given the fact that Fiat needs cash and Volkswagen is willing to spend, we wouldn’t rule anything out just yet.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Volkswagen eyeing Ferrari stake?

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (and we’ll let you decide which of those two categories General Motors’ green halo car fits into…) promise to save drivers money on fuel bills. But, just as operating expenses for traditional cars rises and falls with the price of gas, so too will battery-powered cars vary in their running costs as electric utility rates fluctuate.

GM has announced a new website for Chevrolet Volt owners called MyVolt.com that seeks to help consumers keep their electric charging rates in check. Statistics for battery usage and fuel economy will be transferred to the user’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and utility companies are expected to use this data to help owners choose times to plug their cars into the grid. These utility companies can also make sure their power grids are up to the challenge of keeping EVs on the road.

Other techy benefits offered to Volt owners include a display to show whether the car is plugged in (and whether it’s charging at 120 or 240 volts), the creation of a charging schedule to make use of the best rates and the ability to monitor current battery state of charge and predicted range. One intriguing feature will allow OnStar to create its own charging schedule where the program will choose the lowest rates possible in order to achieve a full charge by a set time.

There will also be a provision to remotely start the Volt to get the interior up to a set temperature, and future updates will allow further customization of the car, such as setting radio presets. Want to know more? Check out the official press release after the break.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

Chevy Volt owners get OnStar-powered website

Toyota has recalled and fixed over five million cars. The entire Toyota and Lexus lineup will feature the company’s new Smart-Stop brake override system for the 2011 model year. Yet the automaker still faces criticism that it builds unsafe vehicles. Will driving an unfixed Toyota lead to your death? Not likely.

According to The Detroit News, a panel of experts was recently dispatched to study the causes of sudden acceleration. In its research, the panel found that the current risk of dying in a traffic accident is rated at 1.05 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled. If you drive a Toyota product, which has bit repaired been fixed as part of the recall, the rate rises modestly to 1.07 deaths. Statistically speaking, that’s one Toyota recall-related death for every five billion miles of driving. Toyota has fixed over 60 percent of the vehicles in the recall and they don’t appear to be slowing down.

We’ve heard many a borderline-hysterical comment from readers stating that they would rather walk than risk driving a vehicle made by Toyota. If you do that, statistics suggest you are 19 times more likely to die. Mile for mile, the risk of walking alongside the road is that much higher than driving on it. Just sayin’.

Photos by Drew Phillips/Copyright 2010 (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Detroit News]

By the Numbers: Your statistical chance of dying in an unrepaired recalled Toyota

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to make our roads a safer place. Distracted driving is arguably his number one issue, and LaHood is waging a concerted campaign to try and curb it. Is he taking things a step too far, though? According to Automotive News, LaHood has now stated that he believes motorists are distracted by any use of a mobile device while driving. This includes making hands-free calls through the use of in-car or in-ear Bluetooth devices. LaHood’s department is going to begin researching all types of mobile device usage to see how they affect drivers. He also plans to meet with automakers to try and gain support for his campaign to eliminate distracting driving.

According to the report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration feels that Ray LaHood is focusing too closely on one area of motoring safety, rather than the bigger picture. NHTSA officials are quoted as saying that current distracted driving crash statistics may be inflated because not all law enforcement agencies are properly trained to recognize a distracted driving accident. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety even went so far as to release a study showing that new texting laws have not influenced accident rates in a positive manner.

Ray Lahood has quite an uphill battle on his hands. Even if he and his team can prove that hands-free usage of mobile devices increase accident rates, the practice is so deeply ingrained in the brains of the overall driving public – not to mention the businesses associated with it – that it will be difficult to convince motorists to not use their phones while driving at all. LaHood is optimistic, however,

“The bottom line for me is to get where we’re at with seat belts and with drunk driving. When those programs were started, people were very skeptical that you could get people to buckle up.”

So don’t adopt the “You can pry my iPhone from my cold dead hands” attitude just yet. Secretary LaHood is merely investigating the matter at this point. There are no plans to call for a ban just yet, but at least one NHTSA official admits it’s a possibility.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Image: Mark Wilson/Getty]

Report: LaHood mulling nationwide ban on all in-car mobile phone use?

Numbers like maximum horsepower, torque and tow ratings are the heart and soul of the full-size heavy duty pickup truck segment. No shocker there. But how much reliance can consumers actually put on figures provided by the manufacturer? And, keeping in mind that the average test drive doesn’t include hooking up a ten-ton trailer, how might we all get a proper frame of reference when judging one massive diesel beast with another?

Such questions may soon get an answer… other than this one, decided upon just a few weeks back. It seems that General Motors has issued a pretty straightforward challenge to Ford: a towing duel up mountain grades, followed by a comparison of factory-issued exhaust brakes on the way back down. (Sorry, Ram… guess you’re not invited out to play.) Seems simple enough, no?

Here are some relevant statistics: Ford’s (reflashed) 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 engine punishes the tarmac with an even 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. That’s class-leading, as GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax pumps out 397 horses and 765 pound-feet. Looking at those numbers, Ford wins… right?

Not so fast, says Chevrolet Silverado Marketing Manager Tony Truelove, “Numbers on paper are fine,” he said. “Let’s go work these trucks in the mountains, and may the best truck win.” To which Ford Trucks spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari replied, “We challenge our trucks against the competition in grueling prove-out tests continually, and the customer gives us the results – sales leadership year after year.”

That’s right, The Blue Oval plainly and unsurprisingly declined Chevrolet’s invitation. But the show must go on, and our friends at Pickuptrucks.com promise to be on hand in their very best black-and-white-striped shirts to serve as referees for the main event. Let’s get ready to rumble!

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Chevy challenges Ford to HD towing contest, gets turned down

Getting your driver’s license can be a tremendous event. It signifies a new-found level of freedom and a chance to go out and explore more of the surrounding world. The privilege of being licensed to drive a car is a wonderful thing, yet not everyone thinks of it that way. A teenager with a learner’s permit is eager to make the jump to a full license – even if they might not be totally ready to carry that piece of plastic in their wallet or purse. A bill introduced in the spring of 2009 would make the learning process a bit longer by mandating graduated license programs.

Backed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a graduated license program would require a driver to go through three stages of licensing: learner’s permit, intermediate license and full driver’s license. The bill also proposes that the legal age to obtain a learner’s permit be set at 16, as well as no unsupervised night driving until the driver is 18 years old. All states currently have some form of a graduated program in place, with the exception of North Dakota. This bill would help create harmony amongst the states with regards to age and term limits as some states are more lax than others.

For example, the state of Michigan allows drivers to begin the learner’s permit process at just 14 years and eight months of age. Michigan drivers can then graduate to a full license by the age of 17. Is that too young? Perhaps, but it’s hard to lump every 17 year old driver into one “you’re-too-young-to-know-anything” driving group. Statistics do show that teenage drivers have higher crash rates compared to their older peers.

Perhaps a few more years in a better-thought-out licensing program can help bring that number down?

[Source: The Detroit News Image: eBaum's World]

Continue reading Government seen backing graduated drivers licenses

Government seen backing graduated drivers licenses

Judging from the statistics that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recently released, distracted driving is a big problem here in the States. Researchers have found that one of the largest sources of distraction behind the wheel comes from hand-held devices – cell phones, smart phones, media players and the like. According to The Detroit News, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has mentioned that he would like to see some sort of visual warning on cell phones alerting users to the dangers of using the devices while behind the wheel.

However, the suggestion isn’t likely to evolve into a full-fledged motion by NHTSA. LaHood simply made the comment off-hand during an interview, but that doesn’t mean that mobile phone makers weren’t paying attention. The handheld phone industry has said that it will meet with LaHood to discuss the possibility, though its products come with a warning about being careful while operating them.

Would it help? We seriously doubt it. Mobile phones have evolved into too great a temptation for most drivers to ignore while behind the wheel, and another visual warning isn’t going to do too much to change that.

[Source: The Detroit News]

LaHood suggests mobile phones should come with warning labels

Perhaps the most telling statistics of the merits or demerits of a new vehicle may be from owners who have driven that machine for a number of months. By that time, the new-car smell is beginning to wear off and the various positive and negative aspects of the car in question are just starting to be burned into the owner’s psyche.

With that in mind, we were totally blown away with news from CNW Marketing Research that just 8.1 percent of Smart Fortwo owners in New York would buy the car again. You might expect that New Yorkers, at least those living in the city, would get the best possible impression of their little urban machines since that’s the environment the Fortwo was designed for.

It strikes us as odd, then, that 19.8 percent of owners in San Francisco say they’d buy the car again. While better than that of New York, that’s still an absolutely abysmal statistic. To put it into perspective, the lowest scoring nameplate from owners who were asked a similar question by Consumer Reports is the much-unloved Chrysler Sebring sedan, with 37 percent answering in the affirmative.

Those who have driven a Smart Fortwo likely already know the biggest peeve cited by owners: the transmission. It’s not an automatic, really, but it’s also not quite a real manual. You see, the Fortwo has an ‘automated manual’ gearbox that has a real clutch and gears like a manual but no actual clutch pedal for the driver to operate. Instead, it’s all controlled by computers and servos. Poorly. This design may be good for fuel economy, but it’s very bad for drivers looking to coax some smoothness from their pint-sized rides.

For what it’s worth, you can read our full review of the diminutive Fortwo here. Yes, we excoriate its transmission too (along with its so-so fuel economy and pricy nature). Sadly, there won’t be a new transmission coming to the Fortwo any time soon – neither Smart’s budget nor its architecture will allow for the easy development of a conventional manual or automatic. Instead, Smart is putting all of its eggs in the electric car basket, which it says will offer a smoother drive than its gasoline-powered sibling. One can only hope.

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

[Source: MSNBC]

Focus Group: Just 8.1% of NY Smart Fortwo owners would buy again. San Francisco? 19.8%

Finally, after years and years of stagnation and painfully slow sales, small cars are starting to take a foothold in the United States. Or are they? While conventional wisdom makes us believe that Americans are ready to take the downsizing plunge in the face of – or at least the threat of – high fuel prices and environmental concerns (we’re all still watching the Gulf Coast, right?), it seems that reality may once again set us straight.

Automotive sales watchdog Autodata has found that the gas-swilling large SUV segment is growing at a faster pace than the America’s small car segment. Like statistics? Here we go: With a 19-percent jump over the first six months of 2010, large SUV sales have outpaced small cars (14 percent). Critically, they’ve also outpaced the overall market (17 percent).

Now, before we get our feathers riled up too much, realize that sales of large SUVs still lag way behind small cars – 974,000 to 121,000 through the first half of the year. Further, large crossovers like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Lincoln MKT are included in those figures right alongside traditional behemoths like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Infiniti QX56 and Toyota Sequoia.

We also expect that small car sales will continue to climb with new models coming to market, such as the upcoming Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Hyundai’s Accent and Elantra. That said, there’s always going to be a demand for large and powerful SUVs that can haul people and stuff while towing a boat or camper in cool, air-conditioned comfort, and automakers will be only too happy to provide the thick-margined vehicles for their consumption. For better or for worse.

[Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires]

Report: Large SUV segment outpacing small car sales growth in America

	Let Them Drill: Poll shows 73% of Americans oppose ban on offshore drilling (or does it?) What’s that about statistics and damn lies?		AN columnist on plug-in vehicles: “Electricity is not sexy” Um, what?
	Report: Fiat developing 500 TwinAir hybrid that could eclipse 100-mpg mark Could be U.S.-bound by late 2012.	Other news: 2011 Ford Explorer to get 30% mpg bump from 2.0L Ecoboost Automotive X-Prize: Finals Stage begins, Edison2 remains only team that can win mainstream class, $5 million Toyota, Severinsky headed to ITC over patent battle, company’s hybrids could face import ban *UPDATE

AutoblogGreen for 07.20.10

Auto-induced hyperthermia – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The statistics are startling. On average, 30 to 40 children die each year in the U.S. due to hyperthermia from being left in a hot car for too long. There have been 462 deaths since 1998, and there were seven deaths between June 13 and June 20 of this year alone.

General Motors is working with Safe Kids USA to increase awareness of the potentially deadly problem. According to experts, the ambient temperature of a vehicle on an 80-degree day can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. On a really hot, sunny day the temperature can soar beyond 130 degrees in a matter of minutes. And since a child’s body temperature rises at three-to-five times the rate of the typical adult, a child can succumb to heat stroke in a matter of minutes. As you’d expect, the problem is especially prevalent in warm weather states – Texas has the most hyperthermia deaths since 1998 with 64, followed by Florida with 50 casualties.

Most deaths occur because the driver simply forgets that their child is in the car, leaving them in a parking lot while they go to work or shopping. GM and Safe Kids USA have several useful tips to prevent leaving your child in the car. Among the best ideas are leaving a briefcase or phone in the back seat, setting a reminder with your email or phone to drop a child off at daycare and ask the daycare provider to contact you in the event that a child doesn’t arrive at a scheduled time. And of course, if you see a child left alone in a hot car, call #911 immediately. Hit the jump to read GM’s press release, which includes plenty of information on how to prevent a tragic situation from happening to you. There is also a short video after the jump that shows just how quickly a car can heat up.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Video: Dangers of auto-induced hyperthermia illustrated

Video: Dangers of auto-induced hyperthermia illustrated

If you were waiting for the federal government to lay down the law on distracted driving, we’ve got bad news for you. New bipartisan legislation from Congress has effectively put the issue back into the hands of individual states. That means that instead of a single, nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving like most advocates were hoping for, we’ll likely be stuck with the same status quo for a few more years. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has voted to approve a program that would provide grant incentives for states to enact their own legislation to curb distracted driving.

Thing is, the program is funded through existing programs, making it a half-hearted effort to address a real problem. TDB sites statistics that claim 16 percent of all traffic fatalities involve distracted driving, and that in 2008, 6,000 people died as a result of not paying attention to the road. So why didn’t Congress take a stand and enact legislation that would limit highway funding unless states brought in laws to stop drivers from using their cell phones behind the wheel?

The short answer appears to be that no one in D.C. is willing to do anything that might upset a large selection of voters this close to November. So do us a favor and know your limits behind the wheel. Honestly, that call or text can wait.

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com Image: Getty]

Report: Senate pushes distracted driving issue back to the states

If Google Trends is an accurate indicator of eventual success, the Nissan Leaf will be a smash hit. At the very least, it looks to be more popular than the Chevy Volt. The latest trends show that interest in the Leaf, as calculated by search volume and news articles, is nearly double that of the Volt. We don’t have to use Google as the only indicator that interest in the Leaf is high, just take a look at the Leaf’s Facebook page, which lists more than 54,000 fans (something Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is particularly proud of), while the Volt has only managed to rack up 24,000. If you still doubt that the Leaf is leading the online popularity contest, then look no further than the official interest lists for each vehicle. As GM-Volt.com reports, the Leaf’s is 130,000 strong, whereas the Volt only has 42,000.

Now, there’s no real way to translate these numbers into eventual, actual sales, nor can we predict success based on statistics alone. For that, we’ll have to wait until these the new EVs go on sale later this year and the real-world results allow us to crown a champion. Still, current indicators suggest that the Leaf is hot, hot, hot.

[Source: Google trends, GM-Volt, Facebook]

Nissan Leaf crushing Chevy Volt on Google, Facebook and more