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.
State Transportation Secretary Rides with IMAP
State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson recently rode with a
Safety Service Patrol responder to remind the public how important it is to follow the state’s Move Over Law.
The Incident Management Assistance Patrol, or IMAP program, provides roadside assistance to stranded motorists to help keep the highways clear of potential hazards.
The Move Over Law requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down considerably – when approaching emergency or public service vehicles stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing. The law includes IMAP and NCDOT vehicles.
There have been almost two dozen incidents of IMAP trucks or drivers being struck by passing motorists this year, underscoring the risk when people do not move over.
Watch Out for Deer
Now that daylight saving time is over and night falls earlier, the department is reminding drivers to be alert. This time of year brings increased deer activity, and with it, a higher risk of deer collisions.
Last year, there were more than 23,000 animal-related crashes in North Carolina.
To reduce your risk, remember:
- Slow down in deer-prone areas and roads marked with deer crossing signs.
- Keep a safe following distance.
- Use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic to better spot deer.
- If a deer crosses your path, do not swerve; use one long horn blast to scare it away.
- If you see one deer, there are likely more nearby.
For more safety tips, visit
this NCDOT web page.
Veterans Day
This week, NCDOT recognizes Veterans Day and is proud to honor the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
Across the department, more than 450 veterans continue their service through public work, and their dedication and leadership are a vital part of our mission.
One of those veterans is Secretary Johnson, who served in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer on the USS Blue Ridge.
“There’s no place I’ve worked like DOT. It’s the closest feeling I’ve had to what it was like when I was serving in the Navy. You’re working together with people of all walks of life with a common desire to serve the public and to accomplish something bigger,” said Secretary Johnson.
To veterans everywhere—we say, “thank you.”
Teen Driver License Updates
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is making it easier for teen drivers to upgrade their licenses, without needing to visit a driver license office.
Eligible teens can now move from a Level 2 Limited Provisional License to a Level 3 Full Provisional License entirely online.
The process is completed in two steps: first, a parent or guardian logs in to NCDMV’s online payment portal to provide their information and consent.
The teen then receives an email to complete the transaction and is issued a temporary certificate to drive until the new license arrives by mail.
More details are available at
ncdmv.gov.
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.