Editorial archive

May 2023

NHTSA proposes automatic emergency braking on all new cars

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(June 1, 2023) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled a proposal to require that all new passenger vehicles have automatic emergency braking (AEB) capable of braking to fully avoid a crash with another vehicle at up to 50 mph. Vehicles must also be able to stop for pedestrians from speeds up to 37 mph, and the pedestrian detection must work in dark conditions.

J.D. Power forecasts surge in May automotive sales

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(May 30, 2023) Total new-vehicle sales for May, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,337,700 units, a 15.6% increase from May 2022, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. May has 25 selling days, one more than May 2022. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days translates to an increase of 20.4% from 2022.

Half of all passenger vehicle deaths are unbuckled occupants

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NHTSA kicks off Click It or Ticket
campaign to reduce traffic fatalities

(May 27, 2023) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is kicking off its annual Click It or Ticket campaign to encourage drivers and passengers to buckle up, reminding everyone that seat belts save lives. State and local law enforcement agencies nationwide are working together during a heightened enforcement period from May 22 through June 4 to protect drivers and passengers from the risks associated with riding in a vehicle unbelted.

Gas prices creep higher ahead of Memorial Day

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(May 26, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The seasonal surge in gasoline demand leading into the long holiday weekend resulted in the national average for a gallon of gas rising four cents since last week to $3.57. AAA forecasts that Memorial Day road trips will be up 6% over last year, with more than 37 million Americans driving to their destinations.

Parallel panic — UK drivers name their least favorite parking maneuver

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Škoda research reveals parallel
parking least favorite maneuver
    
(May 24, 2023)  Drivers in the United Kingdom have revealed their parking fears and failures, as Škoda UK uncovers parallel parking as motorists’ least favorite parking maneuver. The research by Škoda UK found that British drivers are least fond of parallel parking, receiving a thumbs down from 43% of respondents. It was followed by reverse-in bay parking (21%) and front-on bay parking (14%) as the nation’s least favorite parking maneuvers.

Americans want to travel this summer, but remain cautious

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More Americans planning a road trip,
yet many have yet to confirm plans

(May 23, 2023) The national average price of gasoline this Memorial Day weekend is projected to be $1.10 less than it was in 2022, at $3.53 per gallon on average. Though, lower gas prices alone may not be enough for many Americans to hit the road this summer. According to GasBuddy’s 2023 Summer Travel Survey 64% of Americans are planning to take a summer road trip this year, up from 58% last year. However, 60% of that group has yet to confirm their plans by booking accommodations, activities or other travel plans.

Low caps on e-scooter speeds encourage sidewalk riding

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(May 22, 2023) Many cities are turning to speed limiters for electric scooters to address concerns about rider safety and conflicts with pedestrians. But mandating low travel speeds may mean more e-scooters on the sidewalks, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests.

Gas prices remain stuck in neutral

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(May 19, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The usual ebb and flow of pump prices took a break this week, with the national average for a gallon of gas stuck at $3.53, identical to a week ago. A decline in demand and the low cost of oil are the main culprits.

Edmunds' report reveals used car prices remain historically high

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(May 18, 2023) SANTA MONICA, Cailf.  — Used vehicle prices have slightly cooled from all-time highs, but a number of headwinds continue to create unfavorable buying conditions in the used market for consumers. According to the Q1 2023 Used Vehicle Report released by the car shopping experts at Edmunds.

Average age of light vehicles in U.S. hits record high 12.5 years

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S&P Global Mobility finds average
age up 3 months compared to '22
    
(May 16, 2023) SOUTHFIELD, Mich.,— With more than 284 million vehicles in operation (VIO) on U.S. roads, the average age of cars and light trucks in the US has risen again this year to a new record of 12.5 years, up by more than three months over 2022, according to the latest analysis from S&P Global Mobility. The growth is in line with the firm's prediction from last year that constrained new vehicle sales would continue to impact and put upward pressure on the average age.