• The goal in any rapid loss of tire pressure or "blowout" is to keep the vehicle balanced and controllable. Do not panic. Any over-reaction by the driver -- including slamming on the brakes or abruptly removing your foot from the accelerator -- can result in a loss of vehicle control.

From not buckling up to not getting enough shut-eye, here's a rundown of the 10 most common mistakes motorists make.

By Claire Martin of MSN Autos

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 37,313 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2008. If that isn't a reason to become a better driver, then we don't know what is.

The overriding advice auto experts give is to know your car well--and act accordingly. For instance, the oft-repeated recommendation to change a car's oil every 3,000 miles just doesn't apply to most vehicles anymore. At around $30 a visit, the cost of unnecessary oil changes can add up quickly. Instead, drivers should adhere to what the manufacturer dictates: No more, no less.

License applicants face tougher written portion, as well

By Michael Dresser

April 17, 2009

Applicants for a Maryland driver's license will have to demonstrate their skills on the road as well as on an off-road course, the head of the state Motor Vehicle Administration said Thursday.

John T. Kuo, the MVA administrator, said an on-road pilot project in Frederick and Waldorf that began in December has been successful.

Kuo said the new test, which splits the 15-minute driving test between on-road and off-road segments, has been especially well-received by parents. Driver's license applicants were less enthusiastic, he said, adding that the new test is tougher than the old.