As wildflowers begin to bloom along North Carolina highways, the N.C. Department of Transportation urges the public to resist the urge to snap close-up photos. In a release on their official site, NCDOT Now, the department noted that their Wildflower Program, which started in 1985, is part of the state's highway beautification efforts. They cautioned against pulling over to take pictures, citing "significant safety risks" to both the photographer and other motorists, due to the areas not being designed for public access, as per NCDOT.
In a touching tribute to a local hero, the N.C. Department of Transportation has dedicated a Columbus County bridge to honor the late Franklin D. Perritte. The N.C. 410 bridge over Beaver Dam Swamp, will now serve as a memorial to Inspector Perritte, who tragically died in a high-speed pursuit in 1995. "Perritte previously served with other agencies, including the State Highway Patrol and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office," was stated on the NCDOT official website.
Meanwhile, residents should be wary of a spike in scam texts claiming to be from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. The NCDMV warns that these fraudulent messages often ask for payment of fees, fines, or tolls. "The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will never request payments over text message," the NCDOT reported, urging anyone who receives such a message to label it as spam and delete it without responding or clicking on any included links.
This string of announcements, collected in the weekly newscast NCDOT Now, underscores the ongoing importance of both maintaining North Carolina's scenic beauty and safeguarding its citizens from fraudulent schemes.
