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Charlotte’s Pedestrian Death Rate Runs 81% Above the National Average

Charlotte recorded 3.76 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents in 2024. That is roughly 81% higher than the national rate of 2.08 and about 57% higher than North Carolina’s statewide rate of 2.39, according to a new five-year analysis of pedestrian fatalities by Shane Smith Law. The population-adjusted numbers make it clear that the city’s death toll can’t be explained by its size alone. Between 2020 and 2024, 131 people died while walking in Charlotte, and the analysis finds those deaths followed repeatable patterns: where they happened, when they happened, and the circumstances involved. The findings arrive six years after Charlotte launched its Vision Zero campaign in 2018 with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2040. In 2024, the city recorded 34 pedestrian deaths, up from 23 in 2023. That’s a 47.8% jump in a single year and roughly 30% above Charlotte’s own five-year average. Mecklenburg County saw a similar spike, rising from 24 to 36 deaths (a 50% increase), while ...
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More Than 9 in 10 Georgia Highway Deaths Happened Without Bad Weather

A new analysis from Van Sant Law finds that most of Georgia’s highway deaths happen during completely ordinary driving conditions. Of the deaths on Georgia’s interstates, U.S. highways, and state highways in 2024, 74.1% occurred in clear weather and another 17.2% under cloudy skies, so more than nine in 10 happened with no adverse weather recorded. Rain was present in 7.5% of highway deaths, the largest share of any adverse condition, while fog, smoke, and smog appeared in less than 1%. The findings come from 2024 data from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Crash Data Analysis Tool, which show Georgia recorded 12.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 11.5, with 1,403 people killed statewide. The study notes that clear skies do not make driving more dangerous. Instead, the data shows how often fatal crashes happen on routine trips, with no storm, heavy rain, or other weather event changing the drive. Driver behavior played a major role,...
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HVAC Repair vs. Replacement: Which Option Saves More Money?

When your residential HVAC system starts acting up, the first question on every homeowner’s mind is the same: do I repair it or replace it? The answer isn’t always obvious, and making the wrong call can cost you more than just money — it can mean enduring another sweltering summer or a freezing winter with unreliable heating and cooling. Understanding the real trade-offs between repair and replacement can help you make a decision that protects both your comfort and your wallet. Signs Your HVAC System Needs Attention Before deciding between repair and replacement, it helps to recognize the warning signs that your system is struggling. Unusual noises, inconsistent temperatures across rooms, rising energy bills, and frequent breakdowns are all red flags. An aging unit that requires more and more service calls is often telling you something important: it’s nearing the end of its useful life. On the other hand, a relatively new system with a single, isolated issue ...
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How to Customize Your Truck Mattress to Your Space

Turning the back of your truck into a comfortable sleeping space takes more than just tossing in a mattress and calling it a day. Every truck bed has its own quirks — wheel wells, uneven surfaces, varying lengths — and a mattress for truck use needs to work with that layout, not against it. Whether you’re outfitting your rig for weekend camping trips or long cross-country hauls, customizing your mattress setup makes the difference between a restless night and genuinely restorative sleep. Start With Accurate Measurements Before buying or modifying anything, measure your truck bed thoroughly. Note the length, width, and depth, and pay close attention to any irregularities like wheel well intrusions or tailgate clearance. Many truck owners assume a standard mattress size will fit, only to discover gaps along the edges or a mattress that hangs awkwardly over the tailgate. Write down these dimensions and keep them handy while shopping, since even an inch of difference can affe...
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Social Media Tips for B2B Businesses

Marketing has always been an ever-changing landscape, and digital marketing has sped that process up exponentially. Social media is a big part of that. For B2C businesses, social media means direct access to their customers at any time of the day. It makes perfect sense for them to be online. For B2B businesses, however, the reasons for being on social media aren’t as clear. Whether you’re selling a fire safety system or HR software, B2B businesses have just as much of a reason to be on social media, even though it’s a bit harder. Meet Your Audience Where They Are When approaching social media marketing, many business owners think they need to be on every platform at all times. This can be incredibly overwhelming when you’re just starting out. The good thing is that you don’t need to be everywhere to be successful on social media, especially as a B2B business. Focus on only the platforms where your customers are. LinkedIn is a must-have for B2B businesses. It’s the perfec...
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Ransomware Recovery: What Happens in the First 24 Hours

A ransomware attack rarely announces itself with fanfare. One moment, your systems are humming along; the next, files are encrypted, screens display ransom notes, and panic sets in. How your organization responds in the first 24 hours can determine whether this becomes a manageable disruption or a catastrophic loss. Cybersecurity experts agree: the actions taken immediately after discovery matter more than almost anything else in the recovery process. Hour One: Containment Is Everything The instant ransomware is detected, the priority shifts to containment. This means isolating infected devices from the network immediately—disconnecting from Wi-Fi, unplugging ethernet cables, and disabling shared drives. The goal is to stop the malware from spreading laterally to other systems, servers, or backup locations. During this phase, resist the urge to power down infected machines completely. Forensic investigators often need the system in its current state to understand how the a...
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Can You Store a Car in a Self Storage Unit?

Whether you’re heading off on a long deployment, storing a seasonal convertible for the winter, or simply don’t have space in your driveway, you may have wondered if a self storage unit is the right place to park your car. The good news is that yes, in most cases, you can store a car in a rented storage unit . But before you hand over your keys and drive away, there are a few things worth knowing to make sure your vehicle stays safe and ready to go when you need it again. Why People Store Cars in Storage Units There are plenty of reasons someone might choose storage rental for their car instead of leaving it on the street or in a garage. Maybe you’re moving overseas for work and don’t want to sell your vehicle. Maybe you’ve got a classic car or motorcycle that only comes out during the summer months. Or perhaps you simply live in an apartment complex with limited parking and need somewhere secure to keep a second vehicle. Whatever the reason, a ...
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