Some winter driving tips from Weather.com and Miranda:

-Slow down: Do not drive fast in icy or snow conditions.

-Avoid using cruise control: This is no time to be on "automatic." You should be doing what you can to "feel" the road.

-Turn on your lights: You want others to see you.

-Give yourself space: Leave plenty of room between you and other cars. Leave at least three or four times the space you normally would.

-Use lower gears to help maintain traction when going up hills.

-Avoid overconfidence in your vehicle: Remember that on icy roads, four-wheel drive isn't much better than other cars.

-Stay behind snow removal gear: Not only is it dangerous to pass these big vehicles, which have limited visibility, but you might find yourself in worse road conditions.

-Take your foot off the accelerator when skidding: ease the steering wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump them. Apply pressure, and realize that the "pulse" is normal.

-Be prepared when you drive in the winter: Make sure that your car is in good working order, and consider keeping some standard items in your car including an emergency kit (first aid, flares etc.); shovel; a bag of sand or gravel; warm blankets; and a few non-perishable food items.

-Keep the gas tank full and your cell phone battery charged.

The report's authors reviewed traffic safety practices and strategies in high-income countries around the world and compared them with those in the U.S. From 1995 to 2009, fatalities dropped 52% in France, 38% in the United Kingdom, 25% in Australia, and 50% in 15 other high-income countries for which long-term fatality and traffic data are available, but they dropped only 19% in the U.S. Countries most successful at reducing traffic deaths had comprehensive safety programs that include improvement in road design and traffic management; regulation of vehicle safety; and regulation of driver behaviors regarding speed, alcohol and drug use, as well as seat belt and motorcycle helmet use.  Read more.

No Claim for Money Damages in Suit

The Los Angeles Times 

reported that a Sacramento mother and the Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a lawsuit last month against McDonald's Corp., "alleging that its practice of giving toys with children's meals is deceptive to children."  The group "had been threatening to sue McDonald's since last summer, claiming that the Happy Meals toys constitute a method of circumventing parental control and teach children unhealthy eating." The lawsuit alleges that "McDonald's exploits very young California children and harms their health by advertising unhealthy Happy Meals with toys directly to them."  The suit "seeks class-action, or group, status on behalf of all of the state's children under 8 years of age who have seen marketing for the company's packaged children's meals since December 2006 ... [and] an order barring the company from continuing to promote meals featuring toys on television, billboards and in its restaurants. There is no demand for money damages."

Family of Shooting Victim Sues A&E Over Police Raid

The AP reported that a lawsuit filed against A&E Television Networks claims "the network and a production crew filming for 'The First 48' cable television series were responsible for the May 16 death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones, who was shot in the head during the raid." The family of the victim accused the production company of encouraging "Detroit police 'to conduct an illegal, overly aggressive, and unnecessary raid' on the home. Aiyana was killed by an officer's bullet when police stormed her house searching for a homicide suspect."