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Drivers warned about black ice on roads in Northeastern North Carolina

Posted at 10:04 AM, Feb 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-07 10:09:43-05

NCDOT maintenance crews in the northeastern counties are currently spreading salt and sand on area roads in response to reports of black ice.

Below freezing temperatures Friday morning, combined with wet roads, caused black ice to form primarily on bridges and overpasses, as well as on roads in counties throughout the region.

Most areas of concern are in Currituck, Camden, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties, as well as parts of Dare and Hyde counties.

No plans were made to pretreat roads based on Thursday’s forecast, which only called for light flurries and no accumulation.

NCDOT offers the following safety tips for driving in winter weather:

• Clear windows and mirrors;

• Reduce speed and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles;

• Approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on a bridge unless necessary;

• If you begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. Do not apply the brakes as that will cause further loss of control of the car;

• Come to a complete stop or yield the right of way when approaching an intersection in case any vehicles coming from other directions lose control of their vehicles while trying to stop;

• If you have a cellular phone, take it with you. You can contact the Highway Patrol statewide by calling *HP (*47) or call law enforcement in the event of an emergency by dialing 911; and

• Travelers are asked NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol for road conditions. The lines must remain clear for emergency calls.