by Gabrielle DeSantis

It used to be that trucks were heavy, uncomfortable, and unwieldy things to spend any time in. That has changed over the last several decades, with newer vehicles becoming easier to fit into daily life than ever. For those who daily drive one, interior features like Android Auto and Apple Carplay are important. However, one oft-overlooked feature is what plays your music- the sound system. Time then to sort out which vehicle has the best.

The Ram 1500 is an outstanding truck

Upon climbing into a newer Ram 1500, one of the first things you’ll notice is the way things feel, especially in the luxury-oriented Limited trim. Leather, while not Rolls-Royce quality, adorns plenty of surfaces. Additionally, a new 12-inch touchscreen dominates the console, according to U.S News. That screen offers plenty of audio adjustability, even if the equalizer is a little hard to find.

Moving on to the speakers themselves, the 1500 is no slouch here. The bass is a little high at first, and that may or may not be your thing. Thankfully that equalizer is there. The Limited trim offers a whopping 19 Harmon Kardon speakers, and the base models can be optioned with them, so keep an eye out if buying used. The tried and true hi-fi experience is great, but the next contender offers some interesting solutions.

The Honda Ridgeline offers an interesting solution

Tailgating is part of the truck lifestyle. Clearly, Honda knows this and thought of an interesting solution that allows you to leave the expensive Bluetooth speaker on the Best Buy shelf. Six speakers line the perimeter of the Ridgeline’s bed. Don’t worry, they’ll stand up to having heavy items tossed into them. Speaking of heavy, sound is pretty solid. The shape of the bed inevitably causes some echoing, but it’s great to see the Japanese brand try something different.

Moving inside, things fall apart a little compared to the 1500. The Ridgeline offers only eight speakers, according to Honda. The 500-odd watt system isn’t as clear as the 1500 either, but they certainly get the job done. To be honest, the Ridgeline may be worth it for the unique in-bed solution alone.

Jeep’s Gladiator takes the crown

Within two seconds of listening to any of Jeep’s stereos, any competition is wiped away. It’s hard to point out a negative of the Gladiator’s audio system. Though there’s only four speakers in the entire truck, the system pulls a lot of weight while offering plenty of volume and adjustability. The Gladiator also has a party trick.

A removable Bluetooth speaker in the bed offers similar audio quality on the go. Fitting of the Jeep, the speaker is incredibly durable, waterproof for up to 30 minutes in three feet of water. There’s nothing like it on the list, and if audio is all you care about in your new truck, the Gladiator takes the crown. Are you not entertained?

RELATED: You Need to Sell Your Toyota Tundra Immediately

The post These Trucks Have the Best Sound Systems Ever appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As marijuana becomes legal in more states, it’s no surprise that people are taking part. In fact, General Motors is considering changing its testing policies to exclude marijuana. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) claims that states with legalized recreational use of cannabis see an increase in crashes. 

The IIHS links marijuana to a rise in wrecks 

A new IIHS study suggests that crash rates are increasing in states that have legalized marijuana. Crash rates spiked with the legalization of recreational marijuana use and retail sales in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, and California. Studies by the affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI) suggest the same information. 

IIHS-HLDI president David Harkey explained that their latest research makes it clear that legalizing marijuana for recreational use does increase overall crash rates. It’s something that policymakers and safety professionals will need to address as more states move toward legalization. However, the way marijuana affects crash risk for individual drivers remains uncertain. 

How did they perform their study? 

To better understand the net impact on driver safety, researchers from IIHS and HLDI have conducted a series of studies since 2014 to examine how legalization affected crash rates and insurance claims in those that legalized recreational use. 

The most recent studies show that injury and fatal crash rates in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, and California increased in the months following the relaxation of marijuana laws in each state. The retail sales in these five states correlate with a six percent increase in injury crash rates and a four percent increase in fatal crash rates compared to other states where the recreational use of marijuana remains illegal. 

This rise is consistent with the 2018 IIHS study of crashes reported by the police. Most of these didn’t involve injuries or fatalities. However, with the legalization of retail sales in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, crash rates rose by five percent compared to neighboring control states. 

Insurance records show a similar increase in claims under collision coverage that pays for at-fault damage for an insured driver’s vehicle. In states with legalized marijuana, that was a four percent increase in collision claim frequency. 

Does marijuana make driving more dangerous? 

Maybe. Studies to determine if marijuana makes drivers more likely to crash have been inconsistent. When the IIHS collected data from injured drivers in emergency rooms in Denver, Colorado, Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento, California, showed no crash risk increase associated with any drug except when combined with alcohol. 

When interviewing and drug testing over 1,200 patients, four percent of drivers involved in crashes self-reported marijuana use compared to nine percent of patients that weren’t involved in accidents. Also, 13 percent of the crash-involved drivers tested positive for marijuana use only compared to 16 percent of the control set. 

But other factors may have led to increased crash rates. Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana and had a more significant spike in crash rates. But legalization led to a massive increase in tourism, leading to more drivers on the road. More studies need to be performed about how marijuana affects drivers to determine its risks.

RELATED: The Only Truck to Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Is the Ram 1500

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