There are plenty of programs, classes and schools dedicated to teaching teens the importance of safe driving, but teenagers are known for their defiant nature and flippant behavior when it comes to advice given by adults. However, peer-based advocacy groups may be the key to making teens realize the importance of safe behavior behind the wheel.

"Teens are the new generation with a strong voice," said Taylor Mock, a former Project Ignition member. "The more we continue to speak out about this issue, the more people, young and old, will listen."

Project Ignition, a national program backed by State Farm insurance agency and the National Youth Council, helps students design and execute awareness campaigns. Teen drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a vehicular accident than any other group of drivers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection, which is why it is so important for young drivers to understand the dangers of the road.

The organization does not just focus on teens, but it also teaches parents how to best approach their kids about safe driving. Even if they do an exceptional job teaching their kids how to drive defensively, parents may still want to buy an automobile extended warranty. This will not only cover the cost of maintenance, but it can pay for any repairs should a teen driver get into an accident.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced a recall for a small number of 2012 Audi A6 vehicles. The agency reports that approximately 317 vehicles need to be inspected for possible issues with the air bags. Seams in the head curtain air bags may not have been sewn properly, which can render them useless. In the event of an accident, they might not deploy.

Air bags work together with seat belts to keep drivers and passengers safe in the event of a crash, and the NHTSA reports that they can significantly reduce the chance of injury by distributing crash forces more evenly across a person's body. If they are malfunctioning, an extended warranty can be used to cover the cost of any work that is needed to bring them back up to code.

Making sure that all the components of a vehicle work properly can greatly reduce the risk of a crash, which is why it is important for drivers to get regular tune ups. Doing so can catch problems early, but repairs can be expensive. A car warranty will pay for repairs and maintenance of certain auto parts so drivers can save money and keep their vehicles running well.

Most states require drivers to either take a quick eye test at the DMV or submit eye tests performed by their own doctors before they can get their licenses. This rule also applies for license renewals, but some states have already changed the rules, and New York recently did away with the requirement for renewals as well, according to Reuters. New York is joining the ranks with six other states that have also abolished the requirement to encourage drivers to renew their licenses online and by mail.

"The vision test requirement – once every eight years – is a mild inconvenience for motorists that makes our roads safer," State Senator Patty Ritchie from Ogdensburg, New York, who was also once a DMV clerk, told the news source. "Eliminating it just doesn't make sense."

Ritchie also said that when she worked at the DMV, she saw many drivers come in to renew their licenses who were shocked to find that their eyesight had worsened since their last visit. However, DMV Commissioner Barbara Fiala told Reuters that people seeking renewals can "self-certify" their vision. She claims that the requirements were abolished for New York drivers between 1993 and 2000, and the statistics from this time period indicate that the removal of the rule made no difference.

Drivers who are concerned that the new law could increase the risk of accidents can purchase car warranties that will cover the cost of any repairs should they get into a car crash.

New York Representative Carolyn McCarthy recently introduced new legislation to Congress that would institute a nationwide ban on cellphone use while driving. The new bill will also require the U.S. Department of transportation to conduct a study on the effects of using a handheld device on drivers’ cognitive abilities. If the bill passes, it will be the first federal regulation to combat distracted driving.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” said McCarthy. “There are exclusions, including voice-operated, vehicle-integrated devices, as well as voice-operated GPS systems.”

Ford is currently working with General Motors and other automakers to develop and improve technology that allows drivers to sync their mobile devices with their cars, according to Daily Tech. They are also working on an onboard system that will be able to help drivers by sensing danger on the road and alerting the vehicle’s operator.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 20 percent of all car accidents that occurred in 2009 were caused by distracted driving. If an accident does occur, an extended car warranty may help cover the cost of repairs.

Chrysler will be adding a luxury version of the 300 for the 2012 model year lineup. The new car will feature a number ofamenities that set it apart from the standard 300 sedan. The luxury series is set to have fine leather seats and best-in-class fuel economy with two engine options

– a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

"The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Edition is more than just our flagship car, it's the trophy for the tireless majority, an automobile designed and built to meet the most discerning of expectations," said Saad Chenab, the president and CEO of Chrysler Brand, Chrysler LLC. "It's fitted with a paddle-shifting eight-speed transmission found only on cars twice its cost, dressed with the highest grade Italian Poltrona Frau leather and finished with hand-sanded real wood found only in exotic cars – all to deliver a surprising combination of hyper craftsmanship, style, technology and 'uber' best-in-class fuel economy at 31 mpg."

Motorists who want to drive in luxury in their current vehicles can get regular maintenance to ensure the smoothest, most efficient ride. An extended warranty can also help them save money on costly repairs.

Teen drivers are four times more likely to get into crashes than older motorists, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but graduated driver licensing (GDL) could help improve young drivers' safety on the road. A recent report conducted by the Allstate Foundation and the National Safety Council found that implementing GDL laws in all 50 states could save as many as 2,000 lives each year, Insurance Journal reports. Automotive accidents are the leading cause of death among American teens, which is why the National Safety Council is urging politicians to consider enacting GDL laws

"Teen driving deaths are a real public health crisis," Vicky Dinges, the vice president of public social responsibility at Allstate, told the news source. "What's worse is that these deaths are avoidable."

GDL laws, such as limiting the amount of passengers in the car and restricting when teens can and cannot drive, are already in place in a number of states. The report shows that the states with GDL laws in place have seen a decline of nearly 40 percent in teen driving-related deaths.

These laws can make the roads safer for everyone, but drivers should be prepared if an accident does happen. Emergency kits can be handy in case a car breaks down on the highway, and an extended warranty can be purchased to cover the cost of repairs.

Distracted Driving becomes a major talking point

While car companies are working to develop technology to keep drivers connected on the road, they are also

conscious of the risks of distracted driving. Ford, for instance, is running the "Driving Skills for Life" program, which encourages kids to drive safely, and BMW recently launched a series of advertisements – "Don't Txt & Drive" – bent on illustrating the dangers of distractions on the road, the Times Union of the Lake Champlain region of New York reported.

Government agencies are searching for ways to ban the use of distracting technology in vehicles, but industry officials believe that this is a lost cause because people have become too dependent on their devices.

"I'm not in the business of helping people 'tweet' better," David Strickland, the head of the NHTSA, said at a national conference in June, the news source reports.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted studies in Canada and Australia to determine the link between phone usage and car accidents, as American billing records are not publicly available. The results indicate that not only did cellphone use increase the risk of injury crashes, but it also made little difference whether drivers were using hands-free devices or not.

Until any decisions are reached, drivers would be wise to purchase car warranties that could cover the cost of any repairs should they be involved in an accident.

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted safety tests on the Chevrolet Volt, the resulting damage from severe crashes sparked battery fires. This led to investigations, which found that the threat of fires was minimal. However, General Motors has not let the issue fall by the wayside.

The automaker recently announced that they will be conducting a Customer Satisfaction Program in which Volts will be retrofitted with safety gear. This will include a sensor to monitor coolant levels, a tamper-resistant bracket for the coolant reservoir to avoid overfilling, and reinforcing the vehicle's safety structure to provide further protection to the car's battery pack. GM has already conducted a number of tests with the new enhancements, which have all proven to protect the battery and coolant in the Chevy Volt.

"These enhancements and modifications will address the concerns raised by the severe crash tests," said Mary Barra, GM senior vice president of Global Product Development. "There are no changes to the Volt battery pack or cell chemistry as a result of these actions. We're as confident as ever that the cell design is among the safest on the market."

Even though the Volt battery will be better-protected, accidents can still cause costly damage to vehicles. An extended warranty can cover the expenses in such cases.

A new survey reveals just how important fuel economy has become for drivers. Maritz Research recently found that across the board, fuel efficiency has grown inimportance, whether consumers want to buy SUVs, sedans or subcompact cars.

For drivers seeking midsize sedans, such as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, fuel efficiency is the most important factor, whereas is was the fourth most important consideration, according to a similar survey from 2001. It also ranks in the top five concerns for car buyers across other sectors such as crossovers and SUVs. Even sports car drivers are feeling the crunch of high gas prices, as fuel efficiency falls in the top ten list of considerations for this group.

Drivers who are not considering buying new cars at the moment do not have to fall behind in the race to better fuel economy. There are plenty of ways to improve a car's mileage, such as driving more cautiously and turning the car off if it is going to idle for more than 30 seconds. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that every hour of idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of gasoline.

You can also get regular maintenance and oil changes to make sure that the car is in good shape, and a car warranty can also cover the cost so you can save even more.

Ford recently announced that, starting next summer, it will be including rear inflatable seatbelts on two new Lincolns and the Ford Flex. The American car company introduced the optional safety feature for its 2011 Explorer, and approximately 40 percent of people who ordered the add-on were parents, according to ABC News.

“This advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries,” said Sue Cischke, Ford’s vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering.

During product testing, more than 90 percent of participants reported that the inflatable belts were more comfortable, which can be attributed to the extra padding that is created by the airbag. When deployed, the seatbelt distributes the pressure from the crash force over a wider surface area, which offers more protection and lowers the risk of injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 75,000 lives were saved by seatbelts between 2004 and 2008.

The new airbag technology will improve passenger safety, but you may also want to invest in an extended car warranty, which will cover the cost of repairs should you ever be involved in a traffic accident.