The Mississippi Highway Patrol will be out on the roadways in full force during the Labor Day weekend.
The statewide travel enforcement period will begin Friday at 6 a.m. and conclude Monday at midnight. With traffic expected to be up by nearly nine percent compared to last Labor Day, according to AAA, the Mississippi Highway Patrol is encouraging motorists to take extra precautions.
“As Labor Day marks the ‘unofficial end of summer,’ the Mississippi Highway Patrol and law enforcement across the state will be working diligently to ensure the safety of you, your family, and your friends across Mississippi,” Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said. “Remember to be responsible and drive safely.”
The enforcement period will include high-visibility patrols and safety checkpoints over the Labor Day weekend to ensure safe driving across the state. For MHP officers patrolling the roadways, the emphasis will be on deterring speeding, impaired or distracted driving, minimizing fatal crashes, and promoting seatbelt usage.
“Looking into the upcoming holiday weekend, safety remains a top priority for us,” Lt. Colonel James Ivory said. “As you gather with your family and friends, and with the kickoff of college football, our roads are expected to be busy. Let us all make a conscious effort to drive safe, wear your seatbelt, and be smart on this holiday weekend.”
During the Labor Day holiday travel period in 2023, MHP investigated 147 wrecks, four of which were fatal, issued 698 citations for seatbelt violations, and 141 DUI arrests on state and federal highways.
