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.
Secure Your Load
From 2012-2017, there were 2,595 crashes from unsecured loads – resulting in 705 injuries and 14 fatalities in North Carolina. June 6 was “Secure Your Load Day,” an effort to make sure all vehicles are properly loaded, and our roads are clear of dangerous debris.
Before driving, make sure everything in your vehicle is tied down. secure larger items directly to your vehicle. To keep smaller items from flying out, cover them with tarps, nets or covers.
Lastly, don’t overload your vehicle. Your vehicle’s load shouldn’t go above the level of your truck or trailer and all items should be covered to keep them stable.
International Level Crossing Day
This week, NCDOT’s BeRailSafe initiative recognized International Level Crossing Awareness Day by conducting a crossing blitz to teach drivers about the dangers of not stopping for trains. In the town of Gibsonville, drivers were given rail safety driving tips to underscore the importance of following train safety rules.
When approaching a railroad crossing, drivers should remember:
- Trains always have the right-of-way, even over emergency and law enforcement vehicles;
- Always stop your vehicle when crossing gates are down or lights are flashing. Never try to drive around the gate; and
- Don’t stop your car on railroad tracks; keep your car safely behind the white lines.
Rooftop Garden
Efforts to reestablish a rooftop garden at the Randolph County rest area have paid off. The rest area was awarded a LEED Silver Certification for a design that has environmentally sustainable features, such as the rooftop garden. The original plants had begun to die and new, hardier varieties were planted last year.