One great thing about subcompacts is that you’re closer to the road. Something we apparently need. You know, more road in your face, less chance to get distracted. According to the Virgina Tech Transportation Institute, that’s a big problem. According to a recent study conducted by the institute, eight in 10 US accidents are caused by distracted drivers.

What? Oh. Yeah, distracted drivers.
The landmark $4.2 million study tracked more than 200 drivers for more than a year, using cameras to monitor their behavior. The result was a look at the relationship between American driving habits and automotive safety that could impact how Americans shave, apply makeup, read, drink, and do pretty much everything but drive. Despite agreeing to be monitored for a year, some drivers drank beer, one smoked marijuana while at the wheel, and others repeatedly engaged in road rage incidents or routinely violated traffic laws.

Yeah. We Amerikanz is smart!

Speaking of smart…despite losing billions -- and bailing water from failing brands, like, say, Lincoln -- Ford has decided to boost the price of the Zephyr, soon to be named the MKZ. Not only do you get a new name that’s hard to remember (and pronounce as "Mark Z" rather than M-K-Z), but the sedan will also get a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, all-wheel drive and cosmetic tweaks. Sources say that the price hike will boost the sticker past $30K. It’s a curious move, given that, according to JD Power & Associates, incentives on the Zephyr average over four grand.