“Shameless” promotion of SafeAuto? We’ll take it. But really, SafeAuto’s billboard was featured this past Sunday in an episode of the hit Showtime series “Shameless.” The crew was filming the show’s season finale in the streets of Chicago and just so happened to capture one of our billboards in their shot (so yeah, when we talk about Shameless promotion, we’re not kidding!).

If you’ve never watched Shameless, according to Showtime, “Oscar-nominated William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum star in this fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series. Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be…perhaps better off. When Frank’s not at the bar spending what little money they have, he’s passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to group up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.”

Well, just like in the show, our spokesman, comedian Norm Macdonald, isn’t like anyone we know and we love him for that. Plus, we thought he looked pretty great on the billboard in Chicago!

As SafeAuto’s spokesman, comedian Norm MacDonald states in his latest installment of Street Smarts, the automatic transmission was patented in 1922. Now, over 80% of cars sold in the US have automatic transmissions and this is because of the countless benefits that they offer: They’re more convenient, more powerful, they can accelerate faster, and most importantly for us, they are safer. 

An automatic transmission that has the potential to impress is the 2015 Volkswagen GTI. Aaron Bragman of cars.com had some interesting information to share about this vehicle. “The top engine, available in the GTI hot hatch, is a new turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 210 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque; it also comes with six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmissions.”

Aaron’s article from the New York Auto Show, which included reviews as well as information on automatic transmissions, was certainly informative. Being the comedian that Norm Macdonald is, he thought of another inherent benefit of the automatic transmission. To find out what that is, watch this latest segment of Street Smarts!

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday filled with green food, green costumes, green beer, and…. DUI’s. Police from all over the country are sending some very strong messages on this holiday known for drinking and partying: “Don’t drink and drive,” “Drive sober or get pulled over,” just to name a few.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 700 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving drink drivers during St. Patrick’s Day holidays from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, 80% of alcohol-related accidents on St. Patrick’s Day involved drivers who had blood-alcohol levels nearly twice the legal limit.

This is exactly why law enforcement from all over the country are encouraging people to have fun and enjoy this green holiday, but be safe and smart at the same time. At SafeAuto Insurance, we’re hoping to send our fans and followers the same message. Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone. Have fun and be safe.