Icy Roads Remain a Threat Across N.C. by
RALEIGH – With temperatures remaining well below freezing on Monday, N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance crews across the state continue work to treat and clear roadways of ice and snow. View storm photos Get real-time traffic and weather updates at ReadyNC.org, by downloading the ReadyNC mobile app or calling 511. Related: Latest News Releases Related Links: How NCDOT Prepares for Winter Weather Safety Tips When on the Road Live, Up-to-Date Travel Conditions Many interstate and primary routes were clear, and crews started to focus their efforts on secondary roads. According to NCDOT’s State Maintenance Operations, as of Monday morning, more than 2,400 NCDOT employees and more than 2,100 trucks – including approximately 600 contractor trucks – have been involved in de-icing operations. They have spread nearly 48 tons of salt and more than 16 tons of a sand-salt mixture in efforts to clear roads of snow and ice. With approximately 80,000 miles of state-maintained roads, NCDOT’s first priority is interstates and four-lane divided primary routes (N.C. and U.S. routes) that are essential to the movement of intrastate and regional traffic. After these roads are clear, the priority moves to clearing lower-volume primary roads, high-volume secondary roads, lower-volume secondary roads and then subdivision streets. Although NCDOT crews are being proactive and responding quickly, road conditions remain dangerous, even if they seem clear. Ice is the biggest challenge, as salt starts to lose its effectiveness at about 20 degrees. Black ice, which typically appears as wet spots on roadways, is difficult to see and difficult to predict since it forms quickly. Drivers who do not have to go out are urged to stay home – for their safety and for the safety of others, including NCDOT workers, who are most effective and efficient when roads are clear of traffic. Those who must drive should remember to: Leave early with their vehicles full of gas and their cellphones fully charged. Plan for significant additional travel time and expect delays. Wear seatbelts, reduce speed, avoid using cruise control and leave plenty of room between their vehicles and others. Slow down, and approach bridges, overpasses and highway ramps with extreme caution, and, unless necessary, avoid applying their brakes while on a bridge or ramp. (Doing so can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.) If they begin to slide, take their foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. (Avoid applying the brake, which could cause further loss of control.) Completely stop or yield the right of way when approaching an intersection, in case any vehicles coming from other directions lose control while also trying to stop. Additional information about severe weather and safety tips for motorists is available on NCDOT.gov. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov, and for the latest updates, follow NCDOT on Twitter and Facebook.
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