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.
NC Governor's Highway Safety Program Grants
The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program has awarded more than $25 million in federal grants to improve roadway safety statewide.
These grants pay for education, enforcement and community-building efforts to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities. Some of the projects funded will expand education on the state’s Move Over Law that requires drivers to slow down and change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles.
Recipients include state and local law enforcement agencies, nonprofit, organizational and educational institutions.
For more information about this year’s grants, visit the
website.
Applications for next year’s grants open in January.
Dave Phillips Highway Dedication
A stretch of Interstate 74 in Guilford County now bears the name of Dave Phillips, honoring the late High Point businessman, public servant and former U.S. Ambassador.
Phillips helped advance the U.S. 311 Bypass and secured funding to renovate the High Point Train Depot.
Family, friends and local leaders joined state officials to unveil the new highway signs – a tribute to Phillips’ lifelong commitment to his community.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time ends Sunday at 2 a.m., when we turn our clocks back one hour.
This change can present challenges for drivers as it gets darker sooner, so many late afternoon commutes will be at dusk.
So please follow these suggestions to make your drive home safer:
- Ensure that all your car's lights, particularly the emergency flashers, are in good working order.
- When a car approaches, change your headlights from high beam to low beam.
- Keep an eye out for deer, pedestrians and bicycles.
- Get plenty of sleep and be well rested to avoid driving tired.
Halloween Safety Reminder
This Halloween, the N.C. Department of Transportation urges drivers to slow down, stay alert and never drive if you’ve been drinking.
Many trick-or-treaters will be walking in neighborhoods, and that means there will be increased interactions between cars and pedestrians.
So, please plan ahead by arranging for a sober ride home if you’re planning to celebrate.
Let’s keep our roads safe for everyone this Halloween.
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.