If you're trying to get ahead of the game by jabbering on your cell phone on the way to work, your efforts may actually be counterproductive.

On average, people drive 2mph slower when they talk on their cell phone, according to researchers from the University of Utah. Considering the proven risk of automobile accident talking on a cell phone creates, this reduction in speed is seemingly a good thing.

With specific regard to accident reduction, sure, it's definitely a good thing. As for getting you to work on time, however, it's doing you a major disservice. Researchers estimate that all that in-car chit-chat causes the typical morning commute to take 10 percent longer than it should. Not good if you were on the phone in the first place to tell your boss that you'll be there soon.

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I used to live in the southern, more metropolitan, part of my state. I dreaded the holiday weekends when, like everyone else on the road, I was battling the northbound traffic. I used to think of different plans -- I'll leave late, late, late on Friday night or I'll wake up at 5 am and hit the road. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one coming up with those plans to beat the traffic, and I was usually stuck anyway.

Not surprisingly, my late night/early morning commutes weren't very safe. According to the National Sleep Foundation, far too many Americans are too tired to drive safely. In a recent poll, 36% of respondents admitted to either feeling drowsy while driving or actually falling asleep at the wheel. Driving at odd hours to beat traffic just increases the risk of driving while you're not alert.

So be careful this weekend -- don't get behind the wheel if you're not at your best.

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There's always been a general consensus when it comes to safe vehicles that bigger is safer, but that's really not the case. Not only is bigger not safer, in some cases it's actually more dangerous to drive a larger vehicle. The Ford Excursion, for example, had 3 times the death rate of the smaller Excursion and twice that of the mid-sized Explorer (it's now a discontinued model). To help us all figure this out Forbes has compiled all the data from crash test ratings, available electronic stability control, and accident avoidance statistics to come up with a list of the 15 safest SUVs, and here are the top 5:

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I was stuck in a traffic jam today on the way to visit my family for Thanksgiving. I and the bazillion others stuck on the Florida Turnpike had our engines off for over thirty minutes while an accident up ahead was being attended to. Most of us just kind of loitered near our cars, but a group of men and boys actually got together on the side of the road to play some football (pictured at right). Hmmm.

I suppose it was safe in that they certainly were in no threat of being hit by a car, but it just seemed a little weird. In fact, since oncoming traffic was completely stopped as well and the lanes opposite mine were completely empty, a group of teenagers spent some time skateboarding in them. Weird. Lesson being, always come prepared for fitness? Keep some sports equipment in your car for traffic jams? I don't know. It was just a little funny to see.

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Would you pay attention if health symbols -- kind of a like a traffic light system -- were posted on your food labels? A green light would mean an item is low in fat, salt, and sugar, a yellow light would indicate medium levels of these additives, and a red light would signal high portions of these goodies. Some food companies in Britain use a system like this, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a similar practice.

The FDA is gathering input from food companies, trade groups, watchdog organizations, medical experts, and overseas counterparts about this topic. While action would still be years away, it's the thought that counts. Thinking is the first step. Implementation might be in the near future.

Until you see the traffic-light system in full swing, pay attention to the foods you purchase. Some already come bearing their own symbols. PepsiCo, for example, uses the "Smart Spot" symbol on Diet Pepsi, Baked Lay's chips, and a few other products. And Hannaford Bros., a New England supermarket chain, uses a zero-to-three star system to rate more than 25,000 products.

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It used to be that people were only expected to live until the age of 40 or 50. Now, with help from medical technology and improved living conditions, people are living longer than ever, and the life expectancy is continuing to rise.

But it seems that technology is working against us too. Here's proof: A study shows that traffic police in China only have a life expectancy of 43. I think you'll agree that 43 is a very young age to die at. So what's the problem? It's not that they're more likely to be involved in an accident because they're working on the roads; No, pollution is to blame. Almost every traffic cop in Guangzhou has suffered from some sort of ear, nose or throat infection. Respiratory tract diseases and heart problems were also common. Other factors that play a role in the health of these policemen were stress, traffic noise and long-term exposure to sun.

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Air pollution not a small problem, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. There are literally countless studies coming out on the issue on an almost daily basis, none of which seem to have good news (duh!). But with things like traffic causing breathing problems, certain parts of the city increasing risk for stroke, and even livestock pollution from our hamburger habit contributing to global warming, we've all got to pay attention and find ways to get a grip.

Here are a few ideas to to get you (us!) started:

• Take the bus, walk, or bike whenever possible.
• Use an electric or manual lawnmower, instead of a gas one
• Fill your tank up with gas in the evening -- when it's cooler less of the fumes will be released.
• Don't let your car idle for extended periods of time, instead shut it off and restart when you're ready to go.
  

There are so many ideas out there it's really amazing. We all just need to get on board and start using them!

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As everyone jumps on the New Year's resolution bandwagon, diet and weight-loss websites are more popular than ever. So far in 2007, the website belonging to weight-loss show The Biggest Loser has experienced the biggest gain in audience, with eDiet's and Weight Watcher's websites not far behind. All in all, visits to weight-loss websites are up 57% from last month, according to this.

Unfortunately, the high traffic numbers to these websites usually see a sharp decline in the second week of January, suggesting that New Year dieters aren't really all that interested in making long-term changes -- they just want that quick fix, and perhaps find it too hard too keep up. If you're truly committed to losing weight this year, please give it more than 2 weeks. You owe it to your health.

What weight-loss sites are you frequenting? Besides That's Fit, of course!

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