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RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast.Blue Light Trailers

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is testing out new ways to make our roads and highways safer.

NCDOT has partnered with the State Highway Patrol to install blue light trailers along roads.

These are electronic message boards with flashing blue lights that can display a variety of safety messages for drivers, like telling them to slow down if they’re speeding.

Bicycle Helmet Initiative

Bicycle helmets save lives and prevent serious injuries and that’s why NCDOT is giving away free bike helmets.

Applications are open to receive free helmets from the department.

The annual giveaway by NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division is meant to encourage more children to wear helmets.

Organizations statewide can participate in the Bicycle Helmet Initiative to distribute to children in need. If you’re interested, please get your application in soon.

Applications must be received online by Feb. 9

Small Business Enterprise

This month, NCDOT’s Office of Civil Rights will host its second round of bilingual workshops for small Hispanic businesses interested in contract work with the state agency.

The Opportunities Tour: Conversations to Contracts Workshop will be held on Jan. 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh.

Participants can learn about upcoming contracting opportunities and how to work with NCDOT. To register, or for more information, go to NCDOT.gov and search “public events”.

Winter Weather

It’s winter and that means NCDOT will be working hard to keep roads clear when winter storms hit our state.

NCDOT crews have prepared their trucks and other equipment, reviewed snow removal routes and stocked up on necessary supplies.

Our workers are ready to treat roads with brine before storms, and plow roads, put up barricades, and cut and remove downed trees after a storm hits.

If you must travel when there’s bad weather always slow down, avoid distractions, buckle up and check DriveNC.gov.

For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.