The Selma Police Department issued 58 tickets Wednesday in a series of three roadblocks.

The largest portion of tickets issued were for no proof of insurance at 37, IRay Blanks said. Citations for no driver’s license was the second most issued ticket during the roadblocks at 17.

Blanks said the roadblocks were funded through a driving while intoxicated grant, provided by the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

“[The roadblocks] are important because you are able to go out and issue these citations and also at the same time give the public the sense that we are out checking,” Blanks said.

The roadblocks alternated at three different locations — Marie Foster Street at Fourth Avenue, Bell Road at Ravenwood Drive and Citizens Parkway — during a 6-hour period of time.

The locations were chosen because of a high traffic volume, Blanks said.

During the roadblocks, officers initially asked for driver’s license and proof of insurance before checking for other documentation or violations.

Some drivers tried to avoid the roadblocks by turning around before the stopping point. Blanks said extra police officers were used to help stop those attempting to avoid the roadblocks.

It isn’t the first or only time the police department has used roadblocks to help crack down on missing documentation. Chief of Police William Riley said the department regularly receives small grants to help conduct roadblocks.