In Great Britain there was actually some study done that suggested that the color of your car says something about your personality type. And accordingly, based on your personality type, your likeliness to be involved in an accident (in the UK at least). That research showed that black cars are twice as likely to be involved in crashes as cream-color cars. Whether this is true in the United States is unclear.

• Black. Black cars denote an aggressive personality or someone who’s an outsider or rebel. This sexy shade represents authority and power. You also appreciate elegance, style and timeless classics. But you may also have a darker side; black is often associated with villains and mystery.
  

• Silver. Silver has been the most popular car color in North America for the past seven years. Perhaps that’s because metallic shades symbolize luxury and class. Also, silver cars indicate someone who is cool, calm and slightly aloof. This high-tech hue says you’re a sophisticated driver who likes to show off your vehicle’s design. You’re also calm behind the wheel; a recent study shows silver cars are 50 percent less likely to be involved in a crash.

• Red. Red cars denote those who are full of passion, energy and drive and who think move and talk quickly. A bold color choice, red says, “I want to be seen!” This hot hue has been found to raise blood pressure and stimulate the senses. You are dynamic and sexy with a need for speed. Red gives off high-energy vibes and people drawn to the color may take more risks — gamblers tend to place higher bets when seated under a red light.

• Blue. Cars are chosen by the more introspective, reflective and cautious driver. Blue is cool and serene. It calms the mind and creates a sense of tranquility. If you drive a blue car, you may be seen as conservative, loyal and quiet. But you may also be tuned in to trends — car-color forecasters predict blue will be hot in 2008. Read more

A car accident is one of the most dangerous things the average person will meet during their life. This guide is posted in the hope that it will help its readers avoid injury or death. It should be noted that every vehicle is different, and much of the information here (such as airbags) will not apply to those who drive vehicles from 1990 or earlier. The methods of avoiding an accident, and the position one should be in during a crash, however, are effectively universal.

Over 33.9 million automobile accidents occur annually, killing more than 47,000 people and injuring another 5.4 million. Your chances of being involved in an automobile accident at least once during your lifetime are quite realistic. However, there are a few steps you can take to make that less probable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE AN AUTO CRASH

While we all hope that we will never be involved in an auto crash a little preparation can make your chances of surviving a crash much better than average.

Seat belts limit your risk: Always wear your seat belt. And make sure that your passengers wear theirs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that lap and shoulder belts can reduce your chances of being killed in a crash by 40 to 50 percent. Seat belts help for two reasons:

They allow you and the car to slow down together. educing the possibility that you will be propelled forward—into the dash and windshield.

They also keep you inside the car. Nearly 25 percent of fatal accidents involve ejection from the car.

Air bags add extra protection: Consider equipping your car with air bags. NHTSA studies show that air bags alone can reduce the chance of a fatal crash by 20 to 40 percent And when air bag protection is combined with seat belt use the risk of a fatal crash can be reduced to 45 to 55 percent.

Read more

This year, more than 16 million Americans will buy a used car. If that’s what you are planning, this guide may help you.

It explains your protections under the FTC’s Used Car Rule and offers some shopping suggestions, even if you are not buying from a usedcar dealer.

• Before you begin looking at used cars, think about what car models and options you want and how much you are able or willing to spend. You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified.

• Also, your local library and book stores have magazines that discuss and compare car models, options, and costs, as well as provide information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. The U.S. Department of Transportation Auto Safety Hotline (800-424-9393) will tell you if a car model has ever been recalled and send you information about that recall.

Before You Look For a Used Car, Consider Costs.

Remember, the real cost of a car includes more than

the purchase price: it includes loan terms, such as interest

rates and the length of the loan. If you plan to finance the

car, you need to know how much money you can put down and how

much you can pay monthly. Dealers and lending institutions

offer a variety of interest rates and payment schedules, so you

will want to shop for terms. If, for example, you need low

monthly payments, consider making a large down payment or

getting financing that will stretch your payments over five

years, rather than the usual three. Of course, this longer

payment period means paying more interest and a higher total

cost.

Read more