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.
National Walk to School Day
On Oct. 6, thousands of children, parents, officials and community members across North Carolina showed their support for safer streets, healthier habits and less traffic congestion by taking part in more than 100 events on Walk to School Day.
Elected officials and NCDOT representatives joined families to support the benefits of walking to school during NCDOT's Safe Routes to School program’s feature event at Powell Elementary School in Raleigh.
NCDOT Wins National Safety Award
The Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation honored NCDOT with a 2021 National Roadway Safety Award.
The award recognized NCDOT for its pilot program to install thermoplastic lane markings, which are more durable and better at reflecting headlights, thanks to embedded glass beads in the plastic paint.
More than 400 miles of rural, two-lane roads in North Carolina received the high-visibility markings between 2014 and 2017.
The department saw a 13% reduction in lane-departure crashes after the long-life markings were used. The higher quality lane markings help drivers better navigate the roads and curves, particularly at night or in the rain.
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.