RALEIGH – To assist drivers during the busy July 4 holiday this week, the N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction activities that can cause lane closures on major routes across the state.

Where possible, lanes closed for construction will be reopened from early morning Tuesday, July 3, through the evening of Thursday, July 5.

Drivers can check on the route they plan to use in advance by going to www.DriveNC.gov, and using the drop-down menus to check a specific route, county or section of the state. Or they can follow NCDOT on Twitter to have travel updates and alerts sent to them.

Here are some additional tips for navigating the highways safely during the holiday travel period this week:

• Leave early to get a head start on your drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible.
• Stay alert. Even if work is suspended, you may encounter narrowed lanes, traffic shifts and lower speed limits in work zones.
• Be patient.
• Use alternate routes when possible to avoid traffic congestion.
• Don’t drive drowsy. For longer trips, take frequent breaks to remain alert.
• Avoid distracted driving. When drivers stop focusing on the road ahead, they react more slowly to traffic conditions and are more likely to be involved in an accident.

The July 4 holiday period is also when law enforcement will be cracking down on drinking and driving. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) started its Operation Firecracker campaign last week, aimed at catching impaired drivers. In 2018, more than 130 people have lost their lives as a result of alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina.

Sobriety checkpoints will be in place in all 100 counties through Sunday, July 8, in an effort to get drunk drivers off the roadway for their own safety as well as other drivers and passengers.

If you are going to drink over the holiday period, the NCDOT and GHSP strongly urge you to call a friend, use a ride-share service or take a cab, just don’t drive drunk.