California has become the seventh of 24 states in the country to make it legal to show an electronic proof of insurance. So, if you’re tired of reaching into the glove compartment when you’re unlucky enough to get pulled over, you no longer have to worry if you have a smart phone or a tablet.

According to an article in the LA Times, “On Jan. 1, California began allowing drivers to use the so-called e-insurance cards. By showing an electronic image, motorists can avoid trips to the courthouse to produce the paper insurance slip they couldn't find as they nervously rummaged through old maps, owner’s manuals, and gas receipts. The e-version also lets them avoid have to pay fix-it tickets if forced to go to traffic court because they couldn’t find the paper document for the police officer.”

While insurance companies or policyholders are required to issue or use electronic documents, it looks like this might become the new wave of the future.

Would you rather have an electronic version of your auto insurance policy? There is certainly a new school vs. old school mentality when it comes to this new trend. Share your thoughts about the topic on our Facebook page. For a free quote from the most affordable insurance company around, visit www.safeauto.com.

Germany is at the forefront of the race to develop the world’s first driverless car. What’s a driverless car you ask? Exactly what it sounds like. You in the driver’s seat starting the engine, then as soon as you do, you can kick back and relax as the laptop on the passenger side takes over.

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, “devised by a team at the Free University of Berlin, the Passat is a highly advanced autonomous car, capable of navigating a safe path through unpredictable city traffic. It sees the world through a spinning silver cylinder mounted on the roof, a laser scanner, which generates a million data points per second to give the car’s computer a real-time map of its surroundings. Cameras and radar sensors provide further detail, alongside an ultra-precise GPS based on the navigation system used in aircraft.”

Wow. This sounds pretty crazy to us and of course, it will years before a car like this is ready for the mass market, but the fact of the matter is that it’s in the works.

Do you think that this is the future of the car industry? Do you believe that in a critical situation, an automated car would react more quickly than a human ever could? Do you think that cars will be driving themselves or flying first? We want to hear your thoughts and opinions. To participate in the discussion, visit us on our Facebook page. To get a free quote for the most affordable car insurance around, visit our website at www.safeauto.com

If you’re an avid reader of SafeAuto’s ‘Play It Safe’ blog, you most likely know how we feel about texting and driving. We hate it! And, it seems that we’re not the only ones. Slowly but surely, state by state, law enforcement is starting to really crack down on drivers using their mobile devices while at the wheel.

Massachusetts is one such state and State Trooper, Michael Miskell discusses the dangers of using a phone while driving in a recent Eagle Tribune article. “In terms of the degree of dangerousness, using a very, very small device for emailing [or any other activity] is less than ideal,” he exclaims. “Distracted driving in the daytime is one of my main focuses. Our true mission is really reducing crash fatalities.”

At SafeAuto, we can’t agree more about doing whatever it takes to keep drives focused on the road instead of their cell phones. Accidents still do happen, however, so for the unfortunate times that they do, make sure you’re insured (plus, it’s the law!). Visit www.safeauto.com to receive a free quote for the most affordable car insurance around.