By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

'Dry Grads' - organized graduation parties that don't allow alcohol or drugs - grew out of the efforts of keeping teens from drinking and driving. Thankfully their popularity seems to be on the rise, although there are still plenty of young drivers out there who still haven't gotten the message, and teens still account for an abnormally high percentage of impaired driving deaths in Canada.

The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) decided two years ago to create a contest for local high schoolers to create three-minute pro-'Dry Grad' videos shot, produced, written by and starring students. With $7,000 in prize money being split between the top-three vote-getters earmarked to offsetting schools' Dry Grad costs, there were nearly 50 entries in this year's challenge.

The winning videos from George Elliot Secondary School in Oyama, B.C. ($4,000) and the two runners-up, Hugh McRoberts Secondary School in Richmond ($2,000) and New Westminster Secondary School ($1,000), are candid, graphic and have surprisingly high production values. 

All three videos are easily viewed on the BCAA Dry Grad page.

Which one is your favourite? Do you think this is a contest other regions should embrace? Let us know in the comments.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Gotta love the minor differences between Canadian provinces and territories when it comes to annual vehicle inspections or certifications. Sometimes it's the smallest things that can bring nothing more than wasteful financial outlays.

Cousins of mine just moved from north of Toronto back to Fredericton right after New Years, and after a couple weeks getting their new house in order, decided it was time to switch over their driver's licences and get New Brunswick plates for their two vehicles.

The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu had no trouble passing the provincial inspection, but they were given a conditional fail on their nearly new 2011 Kia Rondo. Huh?

Turns out the dealer in Ontario had sold them on window tinting; the rear doors and cargo area were pretty dark, but it was the barely altered front door windows that the inspectors took issue with. Apparently, front-window tints are now illegal in NB after years of allowing 14 per cent tints. Not sure what inspired the provincial government to make the changes, but that's left them with a pricey bill. They have two weeks to get the tint removed and have the Kia reinspected...

I understand that they took it upon themselves to alter the vehicle beyond how it was delivered from the manufacturer... Have you ever had issues like this? Or bought an out-of-province car that needed to be alterered before you could register it? Let us know!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Showing some pretty amazing work with stickers and fibreglass, Ford released photos of its new NASCAR Sprint Cup racer based on its upcoming Fusion. We've already drooled over the production version revealed in Detroit at the 2012 NAIAS, but the overall style has been translated very well over to the strict hardpoints required in NASCAR. 

Ford's release says something about the Fusion being the car that “helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR.” We're not so sure about that. Especially since the OHV 5.6-litre pushrod V8 has nothing in common with the production model's DOHC four-cylinder EcoBoost engine besides the fact that it has pistons...

Bing: Why do Sprint Cup Cars look the same?

So what's your favourite current Cup design?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

When it comes to buying highly 'specialized' one-use items for our daughter, my wife and I usually try and find a simpler way out. While other friends and family members bought complicated non-slip, wipe-clean car-seat protectors to keep stains off their car's upholstery, we simply used a towel. Not as glamourous, but does the job just fine!

Now our daughter's finally tall enough to start kicking our seat-backs and her wet and dirty boots are leaving marks and stains. If it were only our car, that's something I could live with, but because I regularly get press cars this is something we can't ignore. If our Subaru looks shabby? Fine. But the Audi A7 that's our ride this week needs more protection.

I know there are products ready-made for this, but again, I'd be happy to try a home-grown solution first.

Any suggestions on what to do or what's worked for you in the past? Or should we just suck it up and pay?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

I'm still getting used to living in a province that requires annual vehicle inspections, a point proven quite vividly this morning when I was pulled over not once, but twice - by the same officer, no less! - for having a burnt-out headlight. The headlight popped last night when I started the car to come home from visiting family, and made a mental note that I'd have to replace it today before the big snow and ice-storm hit.

This morning, while rushing a little to get my daughter to daycare, we passed an RCMP officer sitting in a driveway on the other side of the road, facing the opposing morning traffic. It only took a second for him to hit his emergency lights, which prompted some 'blue' language from my wife about me speeding... Turns out he'd spotted the lone headlight and that was the reason for him pulling me over. After fumbling around in the glove box and not finding my registration (the renewal sitting on our kitchen table) or insurance (new pink card effective Feb. 1 and on my desk) I figured it would be an expensive morning...

We did manage to find the documents, and he'd only prepared a written warning to have the headlight fixed "should you be pulled over by another officer" for the same issue.

You'd think that was the end of the story, right? Of course not. After dropping my daughter off at daycare, not 10 minutes after he let us go the first time, the very same officer pulled us over again coming back in the opposite direction. This time, I just put down my window, leaned over a little and held out the written warning. You could see the embarassment as he spotted his mistake. After a little wave of apology, we were back on our way.

Needless to say, I'm off to get those bulbs as soon as this post is finished...

Have you had similar experiences? Would love to hear about it in the comments!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Having 'big box' stores negatively affecting smaller local retailers isn't new. Every time a Walmart, Indigo, or now Target store is opened, reaction is always mixed between those excited by lower prices and greater selection, and those worried that mom 'n pop stores won't be able to compete on price. For the smaller stores, it's usually evolve your business or die.

The latest example happened in Fredericton, NB where a privately owned Esso gas station and convenience store made the decision to close its doors after a new Costco outlet and gas bar opened just a few minutes down the road. This is the first Costco location to serve fuel in the Atlantic provinces, and its affects were complicated by the province's fuel pricing regulations that seem out of step with the rest of the region.

Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador all have active price regulation that sets the maximum amount for the various grades of gasoline, diesel and home heating oil. But New Brunswick stands out because it doesn't set a minimum, meaning wholesalers like Costco can be extremely aggressive in its pricing to its members. When it opened in late summer it started a price war in Fredericton - the average price was around ten cents per litre lower than anywhere else in the province, and some weeks were the lowest in Canada.

Bing: How are fuel prices set in Canada?

Obviously the other local retailers are calling on the province to step up and formally set a price floor for gasoline. Whether or not the current Conservative government decides to go that route is another question entirely.

So what would you suggest? Do you agree with fuel price regulation or just let the market bear what it will? What should those local stores do to stay open and keep people employed?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

While car sales in 2011 were trending up compared to what was a fairly dismal year in 2010 (1.56 million), they're still nowhere near the record highs seen during the pre-recession years of 2007-'08 (1.65 million). We'll have to wait while manufacturers figure out how well their pre-Christmas promotions fared before an official tally can be announced.

January and February are usually dead times at dealerships thanks to post-holiday financial hangovers. Still, for those who might still be in the market for a new vehicle, this time of year brings an extra shot of purchasing power to potential customers. Depending on the vehicle, most car-makers have big incentives on their most popular products - and that includes 2012 models, not only leftover 2011s. Light trucks like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra and the GM twins have between $7,000 and $10,000 'on the hood', which helps take the sting out $1.30 per litre fuel prices.

Even popular smaller 2011 vehicles like the Toyota Corolla can be had with $4,500 worth of rebates to grease the wheels.

So are you considering a purchase in the next few weeks? If so, what are you looking for?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

The ball dropped on 2011 less than a week ago, and since we need very little pushing to take advantage of those occasions, here is the requisite question to you, our readers.

What is your auto-related resolutions for 2012? Passing Lane contributor David Menzies already listed his wishes for clearer communication for the new year. Mine would be to finally replace the Subaru's interior cabin light that I repeatedly swear I'll get around to 'tomorrow'.

Bing: Learn how to change a car's cabin lights

What about you? It could be promising to speed less, or use your hands-free more. Drive less, save fuel, keep tire pressures up. Leave gas in the tank for your significant other. Whatever. We're easy.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

It's finally started to snow here in New Brunswick, and it looks like it'll be a white Christmas after all. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other spiritual faith - or none at all, but simply enjoy the time off - have a safe and happy holidays from all of us here at The Passing Lane. Thanks for your continued readership, and the interesting debates had from time to time.

So, remember to not drink and drive. Call a friend if needed. 

I'm hoping that if I've been good enough, Santa will have left me a Ford Fiesta RS WRC to play with on Boxing Day. I wonder if it has Bluetooth handsfree?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Stores and radio stations are into full-on holiday music, and if I hear Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Jingle Bells one more time, I'm gonna pop. Especially since it seemed like at 12:01 a.m. on November 1st - i.e. one minute after Halloween ended - there were already displays and decorations proclaiming that Christmas was coming fast!!! Weeks and weeks of this. It strains my usually pretty healthy holiday spirit, and I'm teetering on the edge of morphing into Scrooge in the remaining hours before the big day.

So when Adam Sandler's The Chanukah Song is infrequently inserted into our local radio station's rotation, I'm happy again. Simple, silly and a reminder that Sandler had some real comic brilliance when he was younger. There's even a Canadian connection - in the original version, he referenced William Shatner: "You don't need deck the halls or jingle bell rock/Cause you can spin the dreidl with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!"

What song saves your sanity this time of year?