RALEIGH – The following are highlights
from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are
also featured in NCDOT Now,
the department’s weekly newscast.
Online Contact Us Tools
The N.C. Department of Transportation maintains 80,000 miles of
roadways statewide, requiring tremendous upkeep and ongoing improvements.
Drivers can help by letting the department know about areas needing
attention.
The best way to do this is through the contact us section on the department’s main web page. There are
several specific links to report safety issues such as a guardrail that is in
need of a repair, potholes that need to be filled, traffic lights not working
correctly, highway debris and missing or damaged traffic signs. Drivers should
try to note the location and provide any other helpful details as this will
expedite repairs.
For those with questions regarding the NCDMV, there are also
multiple links to the DMV contact us system on that page. Using those specific links will provide faster
service.
Severe Weather Preparedness
As North Carolina is now in the time of year when severe weather
occurs, it’s important to be ready.
As part of severe weather preparedness week, people should remember
these tips to stay safe when driving:
- State law requires that vehicle headlights be on when using
windshield wipers;
- If a tornado hits while driving, drivers shouldn’t seek shelter
under a highway overpass. Instead, they should move into a sturdy building
nearby or stay in the car and bend low, covering their head with their hands;
and
- Never drive through standing water – turn around. It’s difficult
to know how deep the water is and a vehicle can be swept away in just one foot
of water.
Additional information on tornadoes, emergency kits and overall
severe weather readiness is available at readync.org or in the ReadyNC mobile app.
NC Safe Routes to School Conference
Registration is open for the NC Safe Routes to School Conference on March 21 in Greensboro.
Attendees will learn how to help students safely bike and walk to school.