As a driver, there are a million things you need to be aware of. While you’re behind the wheel, you need to be watching the road in front of you, behind you, and to the side of you. You need to know all the laws of the road—when to yield, when to merge, and what the different colored lines on the road mean. And off the road, there is even more information to stay on top of—making sure your registration doesn’t run out, keeping your insurance up to date, and so on. But [...]

Spring is in the air in North Carolina, and many residents are welcoming in the warmer weather by taking their bicycles out of storage. As a mode of transportation, bicycling has numerous benefits, from enhancing health to reducing carbon emissions.

But while biking in North Carolina may be eco-friendly and health-conscious, it’s not always entirely safe. Studies have found that North Carolina has the ninth highest bicycle and pedestrian fatality rate in the country. Our roads can be perilous for cyclists, who run a higher risk of being fatally wounded when involved in [...]

The first major mistake is not taking the charge seriously. Many people dismiss shoplifting as a minor charge, assuming they will face minimal consequences if convicted for a misdemeanor crime. However, this is far from the truth—a shoplifting charge poses a serious threat to your personal and financial freedom. If convicted, you could face heavy fines, jail time, and a stain on your permanent record. You could also be sued by the owner of the store for damages in civil court.

The second major mistake that people charged with shoplifting often make is [...]

 A recent tragedy in Chapel Hill has quickly become a source of controversy around the globe. Last month, 46-year-old Craig Hicks was charged with shooting and killing three Muslims—a husband, wife, and the wife’s sister. The shootings sparked concerns that the violence may have been motivated by race and religion.

According to Hicks, the shootings were motivated by an argument over parking. However, the family of the victims’ believe his actions constituted a hate crime. According to the sister’s father, Hicks had frequently harassed the girls for being Muslims and wearing head scarves. [...]

 Due to the inflated cost of auto insurance, there are many cars and other motor vehicles without liability insurance on our roadways today. 

While this percentage is relatively small compared to other states (the national average was 12.6% in 2012), North Carolina’s problem with uninsured drivers can suddenly become very serious to someone involved in an accident with a driver who is uninsured. After all, it is the at-fault driver’s insurance that typically pays out the compensation necessary to cover the high costs of medical bills and lost wages.

If you have been [...]