The morning commute was wreck-free on public streets and highways.

It was not ticket-free, however, as more than $2,000 in state citations were given to drivers as Roanoke Rapids police began its crash-free week on the morning drive.

Police Chief Chuck Hasty said there have been two collisions on private business parking lots, a hit and run at Becker Village Mall and a collision at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

In the time rrspin.com rode with Sergeant Richard White, from shortly before 7 this morning to noon, he handed out seven state citations, six of them for speeding, the tickets coming with a $218 price tag each. The other was for running a stop sign at Seventh near Cedar Street.

White stops a speeder. License tag has been intentionally edited out.

The response to the crash-free week has been positive, White said, people posting on social media hotspots they feel need patrolling. “We're happy about that,” he said.

The special enforcement this week is in response to last year, where 100 wrecks a month were reported in the city.

Speed and inattention play the most critical factor, the sergeant said.

White delivered several tickets on Old Farm Road. “People use it as a short cut from one side to the other,” he said. “Everybody has been warned.”

White prepares a ticket.

Old Farm Road tickets included those for 38 in a 25 zone; two for 36 in a 25 zone and 39 in 25 zone. On Bolling Road White issued two tickets for 46 in a 35, one driver thinking 45 was the posted speed limit, he said.

White said the focus of the week is to, “Just be mindful to slow down and pay attention. If we can all do that we can reduce the number of accidents we have.”

He believes the special enforcement will help. “I have noticed the more activities we do, the less wrecks you see.”