With winter weather moving through, State Emergency Management and Highway Patrol officials are urging residents and visitors to monitor local weather conditions and follow winter safety tips.  Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry says,  “We are urging everyone to be ready, watch the local weather forecasts and stay safe.” If you must travel, the North Carolina Highway Patrol recommends following these safety tips:  Reduce your speed. Driving at the regular speed limit will reduce your ability to control the car if you begin to slide. Leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles.  Bridges and overpasses accumulate ice first. Approach them with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on the bridge.  If you do begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SLIDE. Do NOT apply the brakes as that will cause further loss of control of the car. Travelers are asked NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol for road conditions. The lines must remain clear for emergency calls.  You can find updated weather and road conditions on www.readync.orgweb site or with the new ReadyNC mobile app. The free app is available for iPhones and Android devices in the AppStore and Play Store; search “ReadyNC.”