Local

NCDOT offer number for drivers who abandoned cars

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the safety of the traveling public and to ensure that plow and salt and sand trucks can effectively work to clear roads, North Carolina Department of Transportation is working closely with the N.C. State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement to identify and move abandoned vehicles that are blocking travel lanes or posing an immediate safety hazard.

The Department of Transportation said crews are using more than 100 pieces of equipment Thursday night.

Since Tuesday, they've used more than 2,000 tons of salt and 40,000 gallons of brine.

The department is also bringing in 11 more trucks from the other side of the state with more salt.

Under the current state of emergency and North Carolina's Quick Clearance Law, NCDOT's Incident Management Assistance Patrol trucks are moving cars to the shoulder where possible. In other cases, the Highway Patrol and local law enforcement are coordinating with towing companies to move vehicles to a safe location.

Troopers, National Guard soldiers, other law enforcement and IMAP crews are checking all abandoned cars to make sure there are no people inside who need help.

Drivers whose vehicles were abandoned within city limits need to call their local police department. If the vehicle was off the roadway and is not considered a safety hazard, it will not immediately be towed. For drivers to track down abandoned vehicles outside city limits, contact the State Highway Patrol at 919-733-3861.

NCDOT crews are continuing to work to clear roads and restore safe driving conditions as quickly as possible. The governor and state emergency leaders continue to urge drivers to stay off impacted roads today unless it is an emergency.