RALEIGH — To assist drivers during the
busy July 4 holiday this week, the N.C. Department of Transportation will
suspend most road construction activities that can cause lane closures on major
routes across the state.
Where possible, lanes closed for construction will be reopened from
early morning Tuesday, July 3, through the evening of Thursday, July 5.
Drivers can check on the route they plan to use in advance by going
to www.driveNC.gov, and using the
drop-down menus to check a specific route, county or section of the state. Or
they can follow NCDOT on Twitter to have travel updates and alerts sent to them.
Here are some additional tips for navigating the highways safely
during the holiday travel period this week:
- Leave early to get a head start on your
drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible.
- Stay alert. Even if work is suspended,
you may encounter narrowed lanes, traffic shifts and lower speed limits in work
zones.
- Be patient.
- Use alternate routes when possible to
avoid traffic congestion.
- Don’t drive drowsy. For longer
trips, take frequent breaks to remain alert.
- Avoid distracted driving. When drivers
stop focusing on the road ahead, they react more slowly to traffic conditions
and are more likely to be involved in an accident.
The July 4 holiday period is also when law enforcement will be
cracking down on drinking and driving. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety
Program (GHSP) started its Operation Firecracker campaign last week, aimed at
catching impaired drivers. In 2018, more than 130 people have lost their lives
as a result of alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina.
Sobriety checkpoints will be in place in all 100 counties through
Sunday, July 8, in an effort to get drunk drivers off the roadway for their own
safety as well as other drivers and passengers.
If you are going to drink over the holiday period, the NCDOT and
GHSP strongly urge you to call a friend, use a ride-share service or take a cab,
just don’t drive drunk.