Accidents involving drivers over the age of 80 also fell during that period – by almost 50% – as opposed to a mere 20% reduction in crashes involving young drivers. Senior citizens are keeping their driving privileges longer, also. In 2008, 78% of the population over the age of 70 – about 28 million people – still had their licenses, up from 73% in 1997, and drivers older than 80 were involved in 20% fewer accidents where there were no reported injuries, while drivers between the ages of 35 and 54 saw no improvement in that area.

IIHS suggests that there are many factors contributing to this improvement. Vehicles, for example, are safer now than they were ten years ago. As well, senior citizens are leading healthier lives, and states have been paying closer attention to their older drivers. So far, twenty-six states have special driving provisions for mature drivers, including vision tests, shorter renewal periods, and requiring in-person renewals. Some states, like Illinois and New Hampshire, are even requiring road tests for drivers over the age of 75.

Even with safer cars and more careful monitoring, however, drivers who are over 70 years old are three times more likely to die in a car crash than drivers between the ages of 35 and 54.

Representatives of American Honda Motor Co., General Motors Co., and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) said they’re reviewing the legislation, to see what it might mean to carmakers, dealers, and suppliers.

Greg Martin, a spokesman for GM told the press, “Throughout ongoing policy talks, GM will continue to work constructively to ensure its long-standing priorities of improved health care quality and cost containment are included in the bill’s implementation.”

Edward B. Cohen, Honda’s chief Washington lobbyist, is waiting for the Senate review of the “fix-it” bill that the House passed after the initial vote passed, and stated, “There are a couple of issues that we are not sure how they will look after the Senate acts on the House bill,” he said today.

Meanwhile, current NADA chairman Ed Tonkin, whose organization has been monitoring the healthcare reform legislation via several coalitions with which it is involved, such as the United States Chamber of Commerce, said, “Nobody knows exactly what’s in the bill that was voted on. I know it’s going to be expensive.”

House Democrats voted Sunday night to overhaul the U.S. health care system. In the 219-212 tally, all the House Republicans, and 34 Democrats voted against the bill.

As it stacks up, it appears that the top trade-ins were:

1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Ford Explorer 2WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

And the top purchases were:

1. Toyota Corolla
2. Ford Focus FWD
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Hyundai Elantra
7. Ford Escape FWD
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

Looking at these lists, it strikes me that the big trade-ins were all American Made and the big purchases were from the Asian competition. A bail out for American car makers? A WPA for GM? If these lists shake out to be accurate, then neither of those things is true. But a harbinger of changed American automotive tastes. Definitely.

The Car and Driver article specifically addresses:

- Juggling the Foursquare
- Profiting from Rebates
- Inflating Payments
- Fees and Extras
- Interest Rate Bumping
- Altering the Bill of Sale
- Ransoming Your Check
- Eavesdropping
- Lying About Your Credit Score
- Misplacing Trade-in Keys

Just because the industry is hurting — to the point of practically giving cars away on some lots — doesn’t mean that a car salesman is going to change his stripes. Protect yourself before you hit the dealership by knowing all the sly tricks these guys can and do pull to get more of your money. And remember, you can walk away at any time. (Don’t bother to look over your shoulder. The salesman will be right there and probably with a much better attitude toward making a reasonable deal than he had two minutes before.)

Pete Lawson, vice president for government affairs at Ford, was quoted in coverage by Automotive News, “This timely, targeted and temporary program will put money directly in the hands of consumers and work to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.” The measure passed in the House by a vote of 298 to 119.

Right now, your most fuel efficient choices would be:

1. 2009 Toyota Prius (48 city, 45 highway)

2. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (40 city, 45 highway)

3. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid (35 city, 35 highway)

4. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (34 city, 31 highway)

5. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (34 city, 31 highway)

6. 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (34 city, 31 highway)

7. 2009 Smart ForTwo (33 city, 41 highway)

8. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (33 city, 34 highway)

9. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (30 city, 41 highway)

10. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sport (29 city, 40 highway)

11. 2009 Toyota Yaris (29 city, 36 highway)

12. 2009 Mini Cooper (28 city, 37 highway)

13. 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman (28 city, 37 highway)

14. 2009 Honda Fit (28 city, 35 highway)

- 1964 Lemans GTO
- 1966-1967 Tempest GTO
- 1973-1975 Grand Am
- 1970-1982 Firebird Trans Am
- 1993-2002 Firebird Trans Am
- 2006-2009 Solstice
- 2008-2009 G8

The voting wasn’t finished when I looked at the numbers, but the 1966-1967 Tempest GTO was out in the lead, followed closely by the 1970-1982 Firebird Trans Am, with the 1964 Lemans GTO in third. That’s some vintage love if I ever saw it.

The same sentiment is cropping up everywhere:

Click here for a CNN story on GTO muscle car enthusiasts.

Click here for a comprehensive piece from the Wall Street Journal.

And BusinessWeek said it best, Pontiac: R.I.P.