NORTH CAROLINA HOLIDAY UPDATE

The N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend road construction activities that could affect travel over the Labor Day holiday to help ease traffic delays and make driving conditions safer. Major construction projects along most interstate and U.S. routes across the state will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 31, to 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Repaving of I-40 in Durham County will be suspended from 6 a.m., Friday, Aug. 31, until 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4.

NCDOT reminds motorists that even though workers may not be present in work zones, motorists can still encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts. The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250.

Additionally, the department offers the following driving tips during the holiday:

Stay alert;

Be patient and obey the posted speed limit;

Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times;

Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion; and

Call 511, the department's free travel information line, or visit www.ncdot.org/traffictravel for real-time travel information.

Motorists should also remember to move over when passing stopped emergency vehicles or if involved in a minor accident. Under the "Move Over" law, motorists are required to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped law enforcement, emergency vehicles, wreckers and Incident Management Assistance Patrol vehicles with flashing lights. Similarly, the "Fender Bender" law requires motorists to clear the roadway of non-injury accidents to help keep traffic moving and reduce the likelihood of secondary crashes.

The N.C. Department of Transportation provided the information above.