GUARD: Ten years ago, on April 4, the Bradford Era reported on the National Guard breaking ground for a Bradford Readiness Center to be used by the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Twenty-three acres of space at the Bradford Regional Airport would be used to convert this space.
“A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the 28,000-square-foot, ,8.3-million facility for the troops of Company C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team,” the Era reported at the time.
“The Bradford and Ridgway armories, which currently house about 140 people, will both be vacated when the new facility is ready, estimated to be 12 to 18 months.”
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DRIVING: Have you ever been driving down the street and saw another driver doing something he or she shouldn’t, like texting, or putting on makeup, or fiddling with something inside the car instead of watching the road?
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it’s a big problem. In fact, the annual Traffic Safety Culture Index shows that 88 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is on the rise, topping other risky behaviors like:
Aggressive driving: 68 percent
Drivers using drugs: 55 percent
Drunk driving: 43 percent
The number of drivers who report using a cellphone behind the wheel has jumped 30 percent since 2013. Nearly half (49 percent) of drivers report recently talking on a hand-held phone while driving and nearly 35 percent have sent a text or email. Despite their behavior, nearly 58 percent of drivers say talking on a cellphone behind the wheel is a very serious threat to their personal safety, while 78 percent believe that texting is a significant danger.
A recent study from the AAA Foundation shows drivers talking on a cellphone are up to four times as likely to crash while those who text are up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash.
Any level of risk is too high when it comes to safe driving, and tasks that require a driver to take their eyes or attention off the road should be avoided while the vehicle is in motion- including the use of cellphones, infotainment systems, or navigation systems.
Be safe out there, this holiday weekend and the rest of the year.
