WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released fatal traffic crash data for calendar year 2016. According to NHTSA data, which was collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 37,461 lives were lost on U.S. roads in 2016, an increase of 5.6 percent from calendar year 2015.

The number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on U.S. roads in 2016 increased by 2.2 percent, and resulted in a fatality rate of 1.18 deaths per 100 VMT - a 2.6 percent increase from the previous year.

NHTSA found that distracted driving and drowsy driving fatalities declined, while deaths related to other reckless behaviors – including speeding, alcohol impairment, and not wearing seat belts – continued to increase.  Motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths accounted for more than a third of the year-to-year increase.

Motorists are paying on average six cents less for a gallon of gasoline on the week with all states seeing prices at the pump either drop or hold steady. Today’s national gas price average is $2.49, which is 18 cents cheaper than a month ago. With the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) report measuring gasoline demand at 9.2 million b/d, down 281,000 b/d from the week prior, retail gas prices are showing steady promise of returning to pre-hurricane rates.

“Gas prices have fallen steadily for the past four weeks and now we are seeing gasoline demand drop alongside prices,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “The latest demand figures show the lowest since the week Hurricane Harvey hit and can likely be the beginning of a downward demand trend indicating even cheaper gas prices to come this fall.”

Over the weekend, Hurricane Nate made landfall over the Gulf Coast and is now a tropical depression. Ahead of the storm, many Gulf Coast oil platforms and rigs were shut down and employees evacuated. In addition, two refineries, accounting for six percent of total Gulf Coast refining capacity, shut down. Early reports speculate that refineries did not sustain damage and operations could start up today, Monday.

Overall, motorists will see minimal to no impact to gas prices in the region hit by the storm.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 9, 2017 --

What: The Cars of Tomorrow & the People Who Are Creating Them at the 4th Annual Silicon Valley Reinvents the Wheel Conference

When: Monday, Oct. 9, 2017; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Where: Computer History Museum

Who: Western Automotive Journalists and the AutoTech Council present

Why: An opportunity to see demonstrations of the latest automotive technology and talk with the people who are working to make those cars a reality.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 6, 2017 / -- In celebration of National Hydrogen Day, Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell drivers have again surpassed an important threshold, accumulating more than three million miles on the roads and highways of both Southern and Northern California. These fuel cell CUVs have emitted only clean water vapor, and by so doing, have replaced approximately 1,140 tons of CO2 emissions that would have been emitted by vehicles of similar size and capability. Hyundai has delivered more than 150 Tucson Fuel Cell crossovers since its introduction as the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle in the U.S. market in 2014.

Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Drivers Accumulate More Than Three Million Zero-Emission Miles By National Hydrogen Day

"Breaking the three- million-mile consumer mileage barrier gives us greater vision into the unlimited zero-emissions potential for Hyundai's fuel cell vehicles," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, product, corporate and digital planning, Hyundai Motor America. "With our growing consumer fleet of hydrogen-powered Tucson fuel cells accumulating miles and thus reducing corresponding emissions, we're excited to help fulfill the unlimited potential for a zero-emissions hydrogen vehicle future.

Hyundai service engineers, with permission from vehicle owners, receive periodic mileage updates from Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles in Southern California, allowing them to calculate cumulative mileage totals as needed to assess fuel cell stack maintenance status.

Glen and RaeAnn Hayward, of Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, along with some other small business owners, were invited to a sit-down with Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday, October 3rd. The VP was in town to discuss the need for tax reform. In the speech he gave to local business and community leaders, he said that the president wanted him “to listen to the job creators and to listen to the great leadership in Arizona about the best way to go forward.”  

Good Works Auto Repair are members of their local Chambers of Commerce, have A+ ratings with the BBB, and are proud Members of the Bumper to Bumper Radio Preferred Repair Shop Network. They volunteer with many local charity events including Safe Kids Car Seat Inspections, Feed My Starving Children, Car Seat Recycling, and Spina Bifida Walk n Roll. You'll also hear them as frequent guests on Bumper to Bumper Radio.

Conveniently located in Tempe near Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale, Good Works is less than a mile away from the Light Rail Station at Price Freeway and Apache Boulevard. For appointments, call 480-568-4290 or visit https://goodworksautorepair.com .

• VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works
• VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works
• VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works
• VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works
• VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works VP Mike Pence and Governor Doug Ducey Meet With Good Works
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