ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 27 -- Some New Year's predictions are, tragically, very reliable. For example, significantly more people are likely to die in alcohol-related traffic crashes on New Year's Eve than on other mid-week winter evenings.

Just look at the numbers. A recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics shows that, by the time our country finished ringing in the year 2005 (the last year for which data are available), 135 people had died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in the 12-hour span between 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 5:59 a.m. the next morning. Two weeks later, on the same night of the week, the death toll dropped dramatically to 59.

Myths Persist

Even though many of us are aware of the higher rates of alcohol-related traffic fatalities on New Year's Eve, myths about drinking and driving persist -- myths that, for some, can prove fatal. Scientific studies supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) on how alcohol affects our brains and bodies provide important information that challenges these commonly-held -- but incorrect -- beliefs. These myths are related to how quickly alcohol affects the body and how long these effects can last.

Sobering Up -- Myths and Facts

Myth: You can drive as long as you are not slurring words or acting
erratically.

Fact: The skills and coordination needed for driving are compromised
long before the obvious signs of intoxication are visible. In
addition, the sedative effects of alcohol, combined with the late
night hours, place you at much greater risk of nodding off or losing
attention behind the wheel.

Myth: Drink coffee. Caffeine will sober you up.

Fact: Caffeine may help with drowsiness, but it doesn't counteract the
effect of alcohol on decision-making or coordination. The body needs
time to metabolize (break down) alcohol and even more time to return
to normal. There are no quick cures -- only time will help.

Alcohol's Effects Begin Quickly

Initially, alcohol acts as a stimulant and if you drink you may temporarily feel upbeat and excited. But don't be fooled. Inhibitions and judgment are soon affected, increasing the chance of making reckless decisions behind the wheel. As more alcohol is consumed, fine motor skills and reaction time begin to suffer and behavior becomes poorly controlled and sometimes aggressive, compromising driving abilities even further. Continued drinking can lead to the slurred speech and loss of coordination and balance that we typically associate with being "drunk." At higher levels alcohol acts as a depressant, which causes people to become sleepy and sometimes pass out.

Even When Drinking Stops -- Alcohol's Effects Do Not

During a night of drinking, it's also easy to misjudge alcohol's lasting effects. Many revelers believe that they can drive safely once they have stopped drinking for the night and have had a strong cup of coffee. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been downed. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the body. As a result, judgment and coordination can be impaired for hours after drinking.

Driving home late at night is especially hazardous because natural drowsiness is magnified by the depressant action of alcohol. Driving abilities may even be impaired the next day, when any alcohol remaining in the system, or the general headache and disorientation associated with hangovers, contributes to the general feelings of sluggishness, even though the person no longer feels "drunk."

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 29 -- Donovan Searles, LLC announces that the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has confirmed a jury's verdict against Kia Motors America, Inc. in the amount of $5,641,200 on behalf of a class of 9,402 Pennsylvania consumers. The verdict was rendered in May 2005 following a two-week trial in which the jurors found that there was a common defective design of the brake system of the 1995-2001 Kia Sephia. The Court has now ruled on various motions for post-trial relief filed by Kia Motors and denied all motions. The case will now proceed to the appellate court.

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 28 -- On Jan. 1, 2007, a $1 toll increase will go into effect on the Bay Area's seven state-owned toll bridges. Tolls on the affected bridges -- Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay and San Mateo-Hayward -- will rise to $4 from the current $3 level. However, drivers of cars and other two-axle vehicles who pay their tolls electronically with a FasTrak(R) toll tag will receive a $1 discount off the new toll throughout the month of January 2007.

The toll hike was authorized by the state Legislature in July 2005 with the passage of Assembly Bill 144, which established a financing plan to complete the state Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program -- including construction of the new East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) gave final approval of the toll increase in January 2006. (The toll hike does not affect the Golden Gate Bridge, where tolls will remain as currently set: $4 for FasTrak(R) users and $5 for motorists who pay in cash.)

The month-long FasTrak(R) promotional discount is being offered as a way to encourage motorists to enroll in the electronic toll collection program, which in addition to short-term cash savings can offer motorists long-term benefits in convenience and reduced congestion. To help travelers get on the FasTrak(R), the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) opened a temporary customer service center on Dec. 15 at the Bay Bridge toll plaza administration building (which can be accessed via the far left lane in either direction). The satellite center allows customers who have an active e-mail address -- and who open their accounts with a credit card -- to walk out with a FasTrak(R) toll tag in hand. The satellite customer service center will remain in place through Saturday, Dec. 30. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Customers also can enroll in the FasTrak(R) program online at 511.org, by calling 511 and asking for "FasTrak" at the first prompt, or in person at the permanent FasTrak(R) customer service center at 475 The Embarcadero in San Francisco. Operating hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We've been working hard to get the word out that bridge tolls will bump up to $4 at the first of the year," said Andrew Fremier, deputy executive director of the Bay Area Toll Authority. Fremier continued, "Bridge tolltakers have handed out fliers, changeable message signs have been activated at every bridge toll plaza, and we've been running print, radio and TV ads to alert folks to the Jan. 1 toll increase and the month-long FasTrak(R) incentive. Now we're getting down to the wire, so we're issuing another public reminder to Bay Area motorists."

BATA earlier this year made it easier for motorists to enroll in the FasTrak(R) program by reducing the opening prepaid toll balance required for new customers to $25 from the previous $40. No deposit is required for customers who link their accounts to a credit card and request no more than three toll tags.

FasTrak(R) can be used in all lanes at all Bay Area toll plazas.

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 27 -- The Automotive Hall of Fame has announced its 2007 Distinguished Service Citation Recipients. The Automotive Hall of Fame's oldest recognition, initiated in 1940, the Distinguished Service Citation recognizes an individual who has significantly improved the industry or their respective organizations. A recipient is either currently employed in the industry or recently retired.

2007 Distinguished Service Citation recipients are:
Dr. Amar G. Bose, Chairman and CEO, Bose Corporation

Jeffrey A. Cook, Technical Leader, Ford Motor Company

Allan Gilmour, Vice Chairman, CFO (retired), Ford Motor Company

Timothy D. Leuliette, Chairman, President and CEO, Metaldyne Corporation

Elizabeth Lowery, Vice President, Environment and Energy, General Motors Corporation

Phil Smart, Sr., Chairman, Phil Smart Mercedes-Benz

The Automotive Hall of Fame also announced its 2006 Industry Leader of the Year Award, which is presented to a single individual each year who has demonstrated outstanding industry leadership. The 2006 Industry Leader of the Year is James E. Press, President, Toyota North America.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 27 -- The number of highway fatalities, injuries and total crashes investigated by State Police during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period all dropped compared to the same period last year, Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said today.

"We had better weather than last year for the driving period, but I believe the decreases are in part the result of tougher traffic-law enforcement by our troopers and greater use of seat belts by the public," Miller said.

He said 11 people were killed and 379 others were injured in the 1,066 crashes to which State Police responded during the holiday driving period that began Nov. 22 and ended Nov. 26. During last year's five-day Thanksgiving driving period, 13 people were killed and 503 others were injured in 1,738 crashes investigated by troopers.

Noting that studies by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation show that seat belt usage in Pennsylvania is on the rise, Miller said the holiday statistics indicate that far too many drivers and passengers still fail to buckle up.

"Only one of the 11 people killed during the holiday travel period was wearing a seat belt," Miller said. "Making sure that everyone in a vehicle is properly restrained is the single most important thing that can be done to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries."

Miller said 103 of the 1,066 crashes, including two of the fatal crashes, were alcohol-related.

State Police issued 6,490 speeding citations, arrested 369 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 476 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 63 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats during the holiday driving period.

During the same period in 2005, troopers wrote 4,500 speeding citations, arrested 292 drivers for DUI, cited 237 individuals for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 53 people for not properly restraining children in child safety seats.

The crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include statistics on crashes to which other law-enforcement agencies responded.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 21 -- A recent survey commissioned by the Car Care Council found 70 percent of people admitted to not winterizing their vehicle. In fact, AAA estimates vehicle breakdowns top 5 million during the winter holiday season alone. Winter is right around the corner which may mean snow, ice and dangerous driving conditions are on their way as well.

"I learned how to drive in the Midwest, famous for some of the most extreme winter weather conditions," said Danica Patrick, IndyCar(R) Series sensation. "This taught me that harsh weather can be very hard on a car. You're risking a breakdown if you don't take the time to prepare your vehicle for the winter, even if you don't have your own pit crew."

Basic guidelines to follow for keeping your car running smoothly during winter include:

1. Check your antifreeze. Without adequate antifreeze, your car's engine,
radiator and hoses are not suitably protected from freezing.
2. Prepare an emergency kit. Pack a flashlight, jumper cables, tire chains
and tool kit. Also, throw a heavy bag of sand in the trunk. In the
event that the road is too icy, the extra weight will help you get
better traction.
3. Check your battery! Harsh weather can cut a battery's life in half so
make sure to check it before the weather hits.
4. Change your wipers. Check for signs of cracking or tearing and replace
if there is evidence of streaking or smearing. If you live in an area
with severe weather conditions, consider specialized winter wiper
blades made to withstand the harshest of conditions.
5. Keep tires at the proper pressure. Having a tire gauge is very
inexpensive and easy to keep in your glove box. This is just like
checking the tires on your bike, except you don't have to do the
pumping. Also consider specialized winter tires if you live in an area
that suffers from extreme winter weather.
6. Keep the gas tank at least half full. This is important to prevent gas
lines from freezing.

SHANGHAI, Nov. 21 -- The H-racer, the world's smallest hydrogen fuel cell car developed by Horizon Fuel Cell, was named as one of the best inventions of the year by TIME magazine, in recognition of the company's innovative approach to taking hydrogen fuel cells into the mass market.

"It may be years before you can buy a Chevy powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Tired of waiting, Shanghai-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies decided to design and market the H-racer, a 6-in.-long toy car that does what Detroit still can't," TIME wrote in its review of the H-racer. The H-racer was selected from the hundreds of inventions from around the world reviewed by TIME.

Horizon Fuel Cell is expected to announce the delivery of fuel cell solutions to several other industries in the coming months, and will continue to launch more innovations into the market.

TORRANCE, Calif., July 21 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) today announced that it has reached an agreement with NBC whereby NBC will guarantee a specific level of viewer engagement for its television programs.

Unlike traditional audience-size metrics, viewer engagement measures audience recall of television program elements. Studies show a strong correlation between recall of show details to viewers' retention of the accompanying advertising components. Thus, gauging the level of viewer attentiveness to television programs helps Toyota understand the value it receives from television advertising.

"Toyota places a premium on working with media outlets that are committed to accountability," said Kim McCullough, TMS corporate manager, marketing communications. "Beyond audience size, we want the networks to focus on attention-grabbing, highly-engrossing shows that keep audiences tuned in."

"NBC understands the need to demonstrate commercial effectiveness, and we have aggressively created innovative solutions to help our clients achieve their marketing objectives and prove that our product works," said Marianne Gambelli, EVP, sales & marketing, NBC Universal. "We know our programs will attract and engage the quality audience that Toyota is seeking, and we look forward to working with them to provide further insight beyond standard audience ratings."

To gauge how accurately show details are remembered, an audience panel is surveyed. The guarantee will be tracked by using television engagement scores supplied by IAG Research.

Lexus Announces Pricing on 2007 RX 350 Option Packages

TORRANCE, Calif., July 21 -- Lexus announced today that the RX 350, the top-selling luxury SUV, is now available with a savings of $900 on its most popular option packages. The new RX 350, available as both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) models, features a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that improves both performance and fuel efficiency. The 2007 models also offer advanced luxury and convenience options and additional refinements for enhanced drivability.

To provide customers a greater opportunity to experience even more customized luxury and comfort, reduced pricing is now available on the following: Premium Package, Premium Plus Package, Navigation System/Mark Levinson Package, Performance Package and Multi-Panel Moonroof Package.

The new pricing on the Premium Package is $1,245 and includes leather-trimmed interior, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, roof rack with rails, illuminated entry system and one-touch open/close moonroof. The Premium Plus Package is now $2,060 and includes all options from the Premium Package plus High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with the Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).

The Navigation System/Mark Levinson(R) Package has been reduced to $6,190. This package adds Lexus' fifth-generation navigation system and the 11-speaker 210-watt Mark Levinson(R) Premium Audio System to the Premium Plus Package's options. The navigation system includes the rear back-up camera, voice activation and Bluetooth(R).

Additional savings are offered on the Performance Package, now priced at $4,055. This builds upon the Premium Plus Package by adding the following: 18" graphite-plated aluminum alloy wheels, air suspension, sequential automatic transmission and rain-sensing wipers.

The Multi-Panel Moonroof Package is now priced at $2,840. This package includes the multi-panel moonroof, leather-trimmed interior, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, illuminated entry system and HID headlamps with AFS.

Additional options available separately include: Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, roof rack with rails, rear-seat entertainment system, heated front seats with headlamp washers, rain-sensing wipers, HID headlamps with AFS, navigation system, towing package and 18" aluminum alloy wheels.

Produced in Kyushu, Japan, and Cambridge in southern Ontario, Canada, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the RX 350 FWD model is $37,400 and $38,800 for the AWD model. The Delivery, Processing and Handling fee is an additional $695.