SHELBY -- The latest round of winter weather brought snow and ice to the North
Carolina mountains, and N.C.
Department of Transportation crews are working today to clear roads for
motorists traveling throughout the region.
Most interstates and primary routes in western North Carolina are clear of
snow and ice, but icy patches are possible. This afternoon, NCDOT crews will
continue to clear secondary roads, particularly in counties along the Tennessee
border. Any remaining problem spots on the road will be treated with salt and
sand.
NCDOT advises motorists to be careful and follow the safety tips below if
driving in winter weather:
Clear windows and mirrors;
Reduce speed and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles;
Approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution and do not apply your
brakes while on a bridge unless necessary;
If you begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering
wheel in the direction of the slide. Do not apply the brakes as that will cause
further loss of control of the car;
Come to a complete stop or yield the right of way when approaching an
intersection in case any vehicles coming from other directions lose control of
their vehicles while trying to stop;
If you have a cellular phone, take it with you. You can contact the Highway
Patrol statewide by calling *HP (*47) or call law enforcement in the event of
an emergency by dialing 911; and
Travelers are asked NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol for road
conditions. The lines must remain clear for emergency calls.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on
Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter.
Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website.
To access it, type "m.ncdot.gov" into the browser of your smartphone. Then,
bookmark it to save for future reference.