The Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol began their Click it or Ticket campaign today.

The program will run through June 3, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said. “During the next two weeks we will be out in force enforcing motor vehicle laws to drivers in our city. Please obey the posted speed limit, wear your seat belt, and for goodness sake do not drive under the influence.”

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said today as the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, AAA predicts this holiday period will be one of the busiest in recent history.  

In response, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol will utilize educational and enforcement efforts to reduce collisions from leading collision factors such as speeding, impaired and distracted driving, as well as reducing the severity of collisions through the enforcement of restraint laws. 

Memorial Day also marks the start of the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers as the summer months historically see an increase in teen driving deaths, the patrol said. “The increased free time lends itself to increased time behind the wheel of a vehicle as young drivers are out of school.”  

Parents and teens are encouraged to strictly adhere to North Carolina graduated driving requirements.  

The highway patrol’s participation in the Governor’s Highway Safety Program Click It or Ticket campaign involves two seven-day enforcement periods, with the first being this week and second week from May 27 through June 2. 

The campaign emphasis is being placed on seat belt and child restraint violations.

Motorists can report dangerous driving behaviors to the State Highway Patrol by dialing *HP — *47.

Said Guyant: “Thank you for doing your part to make the roadways and streets safer in our city.

An estimated 38 million motorists are expected to travel by roadways this Memorial Day weekend and the state highway patrol is working to ensure residents and visitors to our state reach their destinations safely.”