Professor Kevin Heaslip
Professor Kevin Heaslip was one of six featured experts in a recent article from WalletHub titled “2023’s Best & Worst States to Drive In.”
Heaslip, the Director of UT’s Center for Transportation Research, researches electric and connected vehicle technology, transit management, and transportation cybersecurity.
In the article, Heaslip spoke on the factors that contribute to the cost of car ownership and maintenance, as well as the most effective methods states can use to incentivize consumers to purchase electric vehicles. He also touched on some of the disruptions currently affecting the automotive industry, such as the rising popularity of “active transportation” methods like bicycling.
WalletHub rated Tennessee as the best state in the US for car ownership and maintenance costs, giving it eighth place in the overall rankings. Tennessee scored above average for access to vehicles and vehicle maintenance services, but below average on infrastructure factors like road quality and traffic jams.
The state ranked near the bottom for safety factors, like the rate of crashes caused by inattentive drivers.
Heaslip offered some tips for improving road safety, including adoption of public transit and cultural shifts around distracted driving.
“Having a culture where texting and impaired driving (are) not acceptable is far more effective than enforcement,” he said.