RALEIGH, N.C — The North Carolina Department of Transportation released its weekly highlights focusing on emergency weather preparedness, pedestrian safety initiatives, and upcoming transportation planning events.

Storm Response and Wet Weather Driving Guidelines

Following recent severe weather events that brought flooding and hazardous road conditions across the state, NCDOT officials are emphasizing critical safety measures for drivers navigating wet roadways.

The department is urging motorists to reduce speeds, maintain headlight usage during storms, and avoid attempting to drive through flooded areas. Additional safety recommendations include increasing following distances between vehicles, avoiding sudden braking maneuvers, and pulling over safely when visibility becomes dangerously low.

Travelers can monitor real-time road conditions and closures through the state’s DriveNC.gov portal before beginning their journeys.

Pedestrian Safety Improvements Show Dramatic Results

NCDOT’s ongoing pedestrian safety initiative has demonstrated significant success in reducing accidents at high-risk intersections across North Carolina.

Thomas Chase, a senior traffic safety project engineer with the department, recently completed a comprehensive study of a problematic intersection in Fayetteville that had experienced nearly a dozen pedestrian-related crashes over a five-year period.

The department’s intervention included extending existing sidewalks, installing dedicated pedestrian signals, and adding clearly marked crosswalks to the intersection. The improvements yielded remarkable results: only one pedestrian-related crash occurred in the five years following the safety enhancements. Within the newly installed crosswalk areas, pedestrian strikes were eliminated entirely—a 100% reduction.

Chase noted that NCDOT applies this systematic approach to dozens of intersections statewide annually, focusing on identifying the most cost-effective safety solutions tailored to each specific location’s needs.

2025 Transportation Summit Scheduled for September

The department announced that the 5th Annual N.C. Transportation Summit will take place September 3-4 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Registration information and additional details about the summit are available at nctransportationsummit.com.