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.
Driving in Severe Weather
Bad weather can strike at any time, creating hazardous driving conditions so it’s imperative that motorists are familiar with some important safety tips in order to stay safe.
- Prepare ahead of time by checking to make sure vehicle tires and brakes are in good condition.
- If you must drive, stay alert and be ready for sudden stops. Allow for at least twice the normal following distance between vehicles when the road is wet;
- If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, lightly apply the brakes and then steer in the direction of the skid;
- Remember that state law requires you to turn on your headlights when using your windshield wipers;
- For those with automatic headlights, check and make sure they’re on when it’s raining, but possibly not dark enough for them to turn on; and
- Avoid driving through standing pools of water or flooded areas. A foot of rushing water can carry away many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry many pickups and SUVs. Most flood-related drownings occur when someone drives through standing or rushing water and their vehicle is swept away.
Slowing down and taking a few extra minutes can save lives. For more severe weather driving tips, visit
ReadyNC.org.
N.C. Drone Summit
This week, hundreds of leaders from the research, commercial and public safety communities came together for the first annual North Carolina Drone Summit. Speakers, exhibitors and flight demonstrators from across the globe showcased the present and future of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drone, industry.
Some of the session topics discussed ways to use drones for coastal water rescues, new technologies with a public safety focus and envisioning what the future of mobility with drones could look like.
Drone racing and over a dozen flight demonstrations showed attendees some of the many practical applications of drones, including collision reconstructions, bridge inspection, law enforcement and digital mapping.
Governor’s School Supply Drive
While doing back to school shopping, people are encouraged to consider buying an additional item for the Governor’s School Supply Drive that’s running until Aug. 17.
Typical supplies such as paper, pens, pencils, spiral notebooks and tissues can be dropped off at all State Employee Credit Union branches across the state. The supplies collected will then be delivered to schools across the state.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on
NCDOT.gov.