JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Police in the small towns along N-C 24 are trying to get motorists to slow down.

This month, the Swansboro Police Department issued 57 traffic-related citations. Chief Ed Parish says roughly 40 percent of those were written for speeding, and he says if had more officers dedicated solely to traffic law enforcement, that number would be greater.

Parish says his department deals with a large number of drivers who forget Swansboro's 35 miles-per-hour speed limit through the heart of town.

Because of growing traffic problems from U.S. 258 and Gum Branch Road, the Richlands Police Department created its own traffic division four years ago thanks to state and federal grant money. Officials say nearly 90 percent of the traffic citations written there are for speeding.

Beulaville has taken a different approach. Police have used a mannequin was placed in a patrol car parked on the outskirts of town on N-C 24.