Automobiles are a vital part of our society, and are governed by various laws. Motor vehicle laws protect the safety of drivers and passengers on public roads. Individual states have the power to regulate traffic, and often delegate this authority to local law enforcement. However, Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce. The goal of automobile regulations is to protect the public, and not create an excessive burden on automobile owners. These laws also help identify the vehicles that are involved in accidents, and can raise revenue for the state through fees levied on automobile owners.

The fuel efficiency of automobiles is often based on a combination of factors. Most fuel-efficient vehicles are more fuel-efficient than other vehicles, so they’re a good choice for anyone who wants to save money on gas. Motorcycles, for instance, are more fuel-efficient than car-based vehicles. Their fuel economy is comparable to that of a compact car.

While many people use the term “automobile” interchangeably, there’s a distinction between a motorcycle and an automobile. A motorcycle has three wheels and is not a car, and it does not carry many passengers. Automobiles began as bicycle-like contraptions. In the mid-Victorian era, bicycle builder Ernest Michaux invented a machine that worked like a bicycle. Another bicycle builder, Sylvester Howard Roper, created a similar device in 1867. Several years later, the internal combustion engine was invented.

The automotive industry grew rapidly in the early twentieth century. The advent of mass production made automobile manufacturers more competitive. Eventually, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler became the “Big Three” automakers. However, the automobile industry was hit by the Great Depression in the 1920s, but it recovered well after World War II.