It's that time of year when the weather warms and people start enjoying the many miles of paths we have in Nags Head. Before you and your family head out, be sure to read through the information below. We have not included all of the information that can be found on the Watch For Me-NC web site for brevity purposes, so be sure to take time to visit the web site for more helpful tips.

What does the law require of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to help ensure safety on the roads?

Driver Laws

• Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at marked crossings and unmarked crosswalks at intersections except where there is a traffic or pedestrian signal. (§20-155)
• Drivers must stop for pedestrians at stop signs and flashing red lights and must yield for pedestrians at flashing yellow lights. (§20-158)
• Drivers making right or left turns must allow pedestrians to cross first, unless pedestrians are prohibited from crossing. (§20-173) Pedestrians or bicyclists on sidewalks have the right of way, so drivers must let them pass before turning into or out of driveways and parking lots. (§20-173)
• State law prohibits drivers from passing vehicles stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. (§20-173(b))
• It is incumbent upon drivers to make sure the road is clear of pedestrians before pulling forward or backing up. (§20-154)
• Changes made to §20-150(e) under Session Law 2016-90 allow a driver in a marked no passing zone to pass a bicyclist (moving in the same direction, and when the driver is not making a turn, and when safe conditions exist) if the driver provides a minimum of four feet of passing distance between the bicyclist or completely enters the left lane.

Pedestrian Laws

• Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crossings, meaning cars must yield to pedestrians. (§20-155 and §20-173)
• State law requires pedestrians to use marked crosswalks when they are provided, and it is unlawful to cross a street outside a marked crosswalk if the pedestrian is between two signalized intersections. (§20-172)
• When NOT at an intersection or marked crosswalk, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles. (§20-174)
• At crosswalks with pedestrian signals, state law requires that pedestrians obey the “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signs in the same way a driver must obey Red or Green lights. (§20-172)
• State law requires pedestrians walking along the road to use sidewalks when available. (§20-174)
• When sidewalks are not available, pedestrians are to walk to the far left edge of the road facing traffic. Walking in this direction gives pedestrians the best view of traffic. (§20-174)

Bicyclist Laws

• Bicyclists must ride on the right in the same direction of traffic and a far to the right as is safe and practicable. (§20-146)
• Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs and signals. (§20-158)
• Bicyclist must use hand signals to communicate intended movements, such as turns or stops. Changes made to this general statute in 2016 allow a bicyclist to signal his or her intention to make a right turn by extending his or her hand and arm horizontally, with the forefinger pointing, from beyond the right side of the bicycle. (§20-154)
• At night, bicyclists are required to use a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a rear reflector or reflective clothing that is visible from a distance of 300 feet. (20-129; see changes under SL 2016-90)
• Bicyclists under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet on public roads, public paths and public rights-of way. (§20-171.9)
• All child passengers under 40 pounds or 40 inches must be seated and secured in a child seat or bicycle trailer. (§20-171.9)
• Bicyclists being passed by a motor vehicle or another bicyclist should remain as far to the right as practicable and not increase their speed while being overtaken. (§20-149)
• Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing any main-traveled or through highway if the roadway they are on is posted with a “yield right-of-way” sign. (§20-158)

Work on the South Croatan Highway paving project has resumed and the contractor is focused on the highway from Hollowell Street south to The Outer Banks Hospital area. Please expect lane closures and paving operations in this section of roadway. 

Dare County Street Level Imagery Now in Progress

Have you spotted one of these cars cruising down your street?

The Dare County Tax Department has begun a project to capture street-level imagery of commercial and residential properties throughout Dare County.

The project is being performed by Cyclomedia, a company that specializes in capturing and recording visual data in public spaces using cameras mounted on vehicles. 

Cyclomedia’s vehicles will traverse Dare County roadways for a period of approximately four to six weeks. During this time, they will capture light detection and ranging data to create panoramic images of properties that will replace the photos currently posted on the Dare County GIS, most of which were taken in 2010.

The new photos will be used to update all current improved properties images for appraisal reviews and other tax-related purposes. This imagery also aids in emergency 911 dispatch.

Rest assured, any faces or license plates that Cyclomedia’s cameras may capture will be blurred to protect individuals’ privacy.

For more information about the street-level imagery project, please contact Dare County Tax Assessor Hosea Wilson at 252-475-5938 or Hosea.Wilson@DareNC.gov.

We did it! We officially broke ground on our new Public Services complex. 

A critical Town department, Public Services personnel provide sanitation, water operations/distribution, facilities maintenance, fleet maintenance, bulk waste collection, and streets and stormwater services.  

First on the timeline will be the construction of a new administration building. Now located on the west side of Lark Avenue, the new facility will be relocated on the property where the Town’s bulk item/brush collection yard stands now. Operation of the collection yard is expected to continue while much of the construction in the area is underway; however, there may be short periods of time when the yard may need to be closed for the public’s safety. 

The remaining buildings will be constructed on the west side of Lark Avenue and Pond Avenue. The Town will do its best to ensure operations continue without disruption during construction. Drivers in the area should expect significant construction traffic along Eighth Street, Lark Avenue, and Pond Avenue over the next 18 months, approximately. 

Pictured from left are:  Deputy Town Manager Amy Miller, Town Manager Andy Garman, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Siers, Mayor Ben Cahoon, Commissioners Kevin Brinkley, Bob Sanders, and Renée Cahoon, AR Chesson Project Manager Daniel Plyler, AR Chesson Project Superintendent Donald Hood, Oakley Collier Principals Ann Collier and Tim Oakely, and Oakley Collier Senior Construction Administrator Franki Joyner.

We are ramping up for our summer farmer's markets at Dowdy Park! 

The markets will be held every Thursday from June 15 through August 17 from 9 am to 1 pm. this summer. Because these markets are so popular, and because there isn't much parking at the site, we hold the markets when Nags Head Elementary is not in session. So, be sure to park at the school when you visit the market. 

Did you know there are different systems of recycling? Nags Head, through TFC Recycling, uses single-stream recycling.

Single-stream recycling is a system in which all recyclables are placed in a single bin. They are collected by a single truck and taken to a Materials Recovery Facility, like TFC Recycling's plant in Chesapeake, VA, to be sorted.

Recycling right is an important part of this system. When non-recyclables are mixed into your curbside bin, it contaminates the correct items, preventing them from being recycled. Thank you for recycling right in Nags Head!

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at town hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our public services facility (2200 Lark Avenue), subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $9.60/month thanks to a $5/month subsidy from the Town.