A recent study found that more than half of teen drivers often take phone calls from their parents while they are behind the wheel. This can result in distracted driving, putting these young drivers at risk. The findings presented at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention show that out of the 408 teen drivers ages 15 to 18 that participated in the study, more than half reported being on the phone with their parents while driving. Despite the bans, warnings, and the well-known dangers associated with distracted driving, many teen drivers feel that they still need to answer the phone behind the wheel, because parents expect to be able to reach their teens at all tim

Your car was recently involved in a low impact fender bender which dented the bumper and scratched some paint. Because the accident was so minor, you’ve decided to skip taking it to an auto body shop. But is that wise? Even minor fender benders can cause more serious underlying problems to your car that may not show up until later. And when those issues finally present themselves, repairs can be costly. Whenever your vehicle sustains body damage that’s more than paint scratches it’s wise to have it inspected at a collision repair shop. Here’s why. Potential Electrical System Failure Your car’s electrical wiring is delicate, and even a minor jolt could have loosened wires. Those won’t

Your car was involved in a pretty serious accident, and it’s been at the collision repair shop for a few weeks. They’ve just called to let you know it’s ready, and you will be anxiously picking it up soon. At this point you are a little nervous that the repairs were done right, and are wondering what to look for when you get there. Upon arrival, a technician should carefully walk around the car with you using a written checklist while explaining what was done and why. Ask them about the shop’s warranty, as many reputable collision repair shops guarantee their work for one-year or 12,000 miles. That said, it’s still important for you to conduct your own inspection before driving off.

Many newer cars come with mandatory electronically-controlled safety systems like airbags, along with optional collision avoidance features like forward crash, lane departure and blind spot detection alerts. The combined objective of those high-tech systems is to avoid accidents, save lives or, at a minimum, reduce impact severity. But even with these innovations wrecks still occur that require auto body repairs. And when a car with any of these newer safety features is involved in even a minor fender bender every driver alert system’s sensor alignment and overall performance must be tested and recalibrated before the collision repairs are completed. The same holds true for the vehicle’s

When your car first rolled off the assembly line its paint job was immaculate, with a glossy finish comprised of several layers of primer and paint. If you’ve been in an accident recently that required collision repairs, when you picked it up from the body shop your vehicle’s paint also looked like new. But unfortunately there are a number of things that cars are exposed to on a daily basis that dull, fade and otherwise damage your once-pristine paint job. Some are obvious, but others might surprise you and oftentimes strike unexpectedly. With that in mind, here are 5 everyday things that can damage your car’s paint, along with advice from auto body shop pros on how best to protect your

Bam! Your car was just involved in a minor collision with another vehicle, and you can feel your adrenaline kicking in. You’re a little shaken up but not seriously hurt, and as the initial shock wears off your mind begins to clear. Now that you’ve been involved in an accident, what should you do next? It’s important to stay calm and focused, and to never leave the scene prematurely or admit fault, even if you did cause the wreck. Obviously, if someone in either vehicle sustained serious injuries you need to call 911 immediately. If that’s not the case, then follow these important steps right after an accident occurs. Clear the Vehicles and Call the Police The safety of everyone at the