A recent report by the Insurance Research Council shows that the rate of unemployment in the nation is correlated with the number of uninsured drivers on the roads. By the year 2010, the research group expects more than 16 percent of the drivers to be on the roads without insurance. Those are scary numbers for those of us who are worried about getting into an accident.

One thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your Chevrolet cars is to increase the amount of insurance you carry. Take a second look at your "uninsured/underinsured driver" coverage and consider increasing it to pay for any damages or medical bills that one of these drivers may cause. For only a few dollars extra a month, you may be able to increase your coverage to full coverage if you are a safe driver with a good record.

Don’t let an uninsured driver total your Chevrolet car without any financial protection. Consult your auto insurance agent today for more information!

The Michigan International Speedway has become the new place to test some new vehicles with technology that can communicate with other vehicles and with the road as well. Some cars already have a precursor to this technology such as blind-spot detection and lane-departure warnings, but the new technology is going to go several steps further.

If automakers perfect this new technology, it’s going to greatly reduce (if not eliminate) vehicle collisions and, as a result, traffic congestion as well. In addition to that, the technology will make vehicles more efficient and make warranties more effective because cars will be able to transmit real-time data to manufacturers.

"I have never seen anything with quite the size of the carrot as exists when we’re talking about the connected vehicle and the highway and the different things that we can do," said Dave Cole, the chairman of Ann Arbor’s Center for Automotive Research. The new project will also create tens of thousands of jobs for Michigan if the state becomes the place where these cars will be manufactured.

Can you imagine going to your local Chevy dealer in the next few years and buying a new Chevrolet car that communicates with other cars and the road’s infrastructure? It might sound like Big Brother, but it also promises to reduce traffic-related deaths by thousands.

One Dallas area company has been working on the problem of teens talking on their “cellies” while driving. The company came up with a new device that monitors its traveling speed using GPS technology. If the device “thinks” it is in a car, it becomes disabled. The driver cannot make a call and callers simply receive an automated text message that says the driver cannot answer. For parents who let their teen drivers drive their Chevrolet car, this is good news!

Of course, there are probably ways around this new technology and teenagers are likely to find a way to defeat it. That’s why it is vital for parents to teach their kids about driving safety and the dangers of talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. If you let your teenager drive your Chevrolet cars, take the responsibility of teaching your young driver how to stay safe on the roads. You owe it to yourself, your family and your fellow drivers.

1. Check your state’s department of insurance website. Every state has a department of insurance that logs complaints for the various companies in the state. This will give you a good idea about each company’s reputation and what other consumers are saying about it.
2. Contact local body shops. Talk with body shops you would deal with to see which insurance companies they recommend. They regularly interact with several companies each day and they will usually have a good idea about the companies you should use.
3. Check with independent agents. Since they work with various companies, too, they can give you an idea about which one will serve your needs the best.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when choosing an insurance company for your Chevrolet cars. Of course, you also have to follow your instinct and do your homework to find the best one for you.

The Chevrolet Malibu is becoming one of GM’s most recognized vehicles. In fact, this Chevrolet car won the North American International Auto Show’s Car of the Year Award for both its appearance and its body structure. Here are some of the reasons more people are checking out these Chevrolet cars at local dealers:

• The safety cage construction helps protect the car’s occupants in the event of an accident or rollover. The crush zones are also helpful in protecting occupants in a collision.
• A specially-designed latch system makes it easier to install and take out child safety seats.
• Redesigned safety belts help keep occupants (even children) comfortable while being safely restrained in case of an accident.
• The OnStar system is ideal for emergencies, driving directions and vehicle maintenance. Anything you need while you’re on the road is right at your fingertips.
• A new look makes this Chevrolet car more attractive to young and old buyers alike.

• OnStar – The OnStar system is one of the best features to give drivers peace of mind wherever they are on the road. With an OnStar subscription, drivers can get turn-by-turn directions to their destination, emergency roadside assistance and much, much more.
• Traction Control – This feature comes standard with the 2009 Impala Chevrolet car. The system includes ABS and corner brake control for better handling in nearly every driving situation.
• Airbags – Dual-stage and thorax side-impact airbags are included with the 2009 Impala for increased safety during a collision. The OnStar system also has an Automatic Airbag Deployment Response that alerts emergency personnel in the event of a collision.
• Safety Cage Construction – Throughout the passenger area, the automaker used heavy-gauge steel for increased safety in a collision or a rollover.
• Warranty – With a 100,000 mile or five-year GM warranty, drivers are assured that they can get problems fixed before they become safety issues.

The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
This Chevrolet car is one of the more popular models this year for several reasons. It is a compact SUV with a lowered suspension and 18-inch wheels. It also has more than 260 horsepower under the hood and an attractive appearance. Right now at the Red Tag Sales Event, you can get a $5000 cash back rebate when you purchase one of the participating models.

The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
Whether you want the extended cab or the crew cab version, General Motors is offering a $6,000 to $8,000 cash back incentive.

The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
This Chevrolet car comes with an $8,000 cash back incentive. The 2008 Tahoe now comes in a hybrid model, but check with your local dealer to see if the rebate applies to this version.

These and other deals are simply waiting for you at your local Chevrolet dealer. Check one out today!

• Daytime running lights (DRLs) are on even during the day so other cars can see you easier. DRLs have been proven to reduce the number of accidents in recent years.
• The Driver Information Center (DIC) helps you know what’s going on with your vehicle. If it needs an oil change, engine coolant or even gas, this area lets you know. It also gives information about current fuel usage and other data at your fingertips.
• The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps the driver maintain control of the car even when slamming on the brakes.
• The side blind zone alert warns drivers about other vehicles in the blind spot before they try to change lanes.

These are just a few reasons why you should visit your local dealer and see these Chevrolet cars for yourself.

The 2009 Traverse is a crossover with a difference, a vehicle that ought to make Chevy fans proud. It shares a platform with the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Saturn Outlook but has a look all its own that will make owners forget all about those other cars. Chevrolet has learned that lookalike cars aren’t exactly what the public is looking for, so it has tossed out the old-fashioned rulebook in constructing the 2009 Chevy Traverse. Other cars will follow suit with their own fresh looks.

The Traverse is focused on looking sporty, with a sloping roofline and the two-piece horizontal grille up front.

It also works beautifully from the inside, as driving the Traverse is a real treat. It is hardy and stands up to the rigors of the road, working well on stopping hard and cruising along with little to no lean. Early test drives come back with great reviews, as drivers have put the crossover through the ringer with tremendous success. In short, the Traverse rocks.

For more information on the 2009 Traverse or other Chevy cars, hop on down to your local dealer today and arrange for a test drive.

The Traverse offers much of the same functionally as its cross-brand cousins, giving Chevrolet an entry in the segment of crossovers without relying on a truck foundation like the TrailBlazer of previous years.

According to reviews of the Traverse, this new Chevrolet car features a quiet engine pushing out 288 horsepower with the newest version of GM’s 3.6L DOHC V-6 making things happen under the hood. The vehicle drives on a six-speed automatic transmission, including a manual toggle for shifting through the gears should the driver desire it.

Fuel economy appears to be one of the vehicle’s weaker points, with EPA fuel economy estimates at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. One test reported achieving worse fuel economy than that after a “hard drive,” reporting a mere 12.1 mpg.

In terms of the vehicle’s interior, early reports say that the Traverse does a good job matching comfort and function. The controls are durable and easy-to-use, while some reported having a less than desirable amount of legroom in the second row and almost none to speak of in the third row. Adults will have trouble sitting in those locations in the Traverse.

With Chevy cars working overtime to drum up a new customer base, one wonders just how well a heavier duty vehicle like the 2009 Traverse will do in today’s market.