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.
New Penalties Take Effect
There are now stiffer penalties for drivers who violate the
state’s ‘move-over’ law. The new penalties took effect Dec. 1.
Under the changes, a driver could face prison time if his failure to slow down or move over for a stopped emergency vehicle results in the death or serious injury of another person. The bill also makes it a misdemeanor if someone drives around roadblocks set up because of flooded roads.
Traffic Management Center Opens
A new Traffic Management Center recently opened in Asheville to serve western North Carolina.
The Mountain TMC is a regional version of the State Transportation Operations Center. It will help keep traffic moving in the mountains, especially throughout the Interstate 26 widening project and on I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge. Employees at the TMC monitor traffic in real time with a combination of cameras and computer systems and relay information to the general public, IMAP teams, the state highway patrol, wrecker services and emergency services.
Watch for Me NC Seeking Partners
Communities interested in participating in the 2020
Watch for Me NC safety program may now submit applications to NCDOT.
The program focuses on bicycle and pedestrian safety, education and enforcement. Selected communities will receive free law enforcement training, technical assistance and safety tools, plus materials with pedestrian and bike safety messages that can be used at public events.
Applications are due by Jan. 31 and can be submitted on the
Watch for Me NC website.
Take the Train for Holiday Travel
With the holiday season in full swing, have you thought about taking the train instead of driving or flying? There are seven stations between Raleigh and Charlotte. The train also serves Washington D.C., New York and New Jersey.
With this option, you can skip the traffic and long lines, use the train’s free WiFi, and have room to move around throughout the ride. Plus, with
Share Fare, the more people you’ve got traveling with you, the more you save! Head over to
ncbytrain.org for details!
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.