Crash-free future?
Cadillac says future technologies will take motorists many steps closer to a crash-free future. The company says future technologies could include in-vehicle Doppler radar to spot obstructions or traffic jams ahead. Looking ahead even further, the company foresees autonomous vehicles that can communicate with each other, traffic signals and buildings, pointing to a world where cars may actually drive themselves. The company already boasts of several safety devices, including a lane-departure-warning system, which warns the driver when he or she leaves their lane without signaling; a blind spot alert, which detects an object in a vehicle’s blind zone and provides a visual warning in the outside side mirror; and an adaptive cruise-control system, which detects objects in a vehicle’s path and slows the vehicle down to avoid a collision.

Checking up on the kids
You don’t have to take your kid’s word for it that he didn’t exceed 40 mph; you can find out for yourself. Lemur Monitors has introduced a $70 product called SafeDriver. It plugs into the car’s data port and monitors maximum speed, distance traveled and any sudden braking (caused, perhaps, by cell phone use, texting or just talking with buddies). And if your child pulls the monitor out while driving, the readout will display a big “Tamper.”

2010 Used Car Best Bets
Edmunds.com has released its “Used Car Best Bets” for 2010, based on the vehicle’s reliability, safety and availability (wider availability means more competitive prices and better value). Eligibility is limited to used cars originally sold from 2003 to 2008. They are: 2003-2008 Hyundai Elantra (compact sedan); 2006-2008 Hyundai Azera (large sedan); 2003-2008 BMW 3 Series (coupe); 2003-2008 Mazda Miata (convertible); 2003-2008 Pontiac Vibe (wagon); 2003-2008 Honda CR-V (compact SUV/crossover); 2004-2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor (midsize SUV/crossover); 2003-2008 Chevrolet Tahoe (large SUV/crossover); 2003-2008 Honda Odyssey (minivan/van); 2003-2008 Toyota Tacoma (compact truck); 2003-2008 Ford F-150 (large truck); 2003-2008 Infiniti G35 (luxury); 2004-2008 Toyota Prius (hybrid).

Back to school
New cars would be graded A, B, C or D for fuel economy, according to a proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. The two agencies proposed two new label designs for public comment. The first would prominently feature a letter grade to communicate the vehicle’s overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance. The new design will also provide consumers with an estimate of the expected fuel cost savings over five years compared to an average gasoline-powered vehicle of the same model year. The second proposed label retains the current label’s focus on miles per gallon (MPG) and annual fuel costs, while updating the overall design and adding the required new comparison information on fuel economy and emissions. To view the labels, and to get information on how to comment, go to http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy.