The holiday weekend is officially upon us in the Magnolia State and the Mississippi Highway Patrol is preparing to up their enforcement to help keep residents safe.
For the Christmas travel period, an enhanced presence of state troopers will begin on Saturday, December 23, at 6:00 a.m. and conclude on Monday, December 25, at midnight.
The goal of the enforcement periods is to reduce the number of crashes in hopes of preventing fatalities and serious injuries.
MHP asks motorists to take these simple steps to reduce the chances of being injured or killed in a collision:
- Wear seatbelts and properly restrain children
- Do not drive impaired or distracted
- Obey the speed limit
“It’s no secret that the holiday season brings a lot of motorists to and through our great state,” Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said. “Please remember to always remain safe, vigilant, and alert when driving to protect yourself and others on the road. Thank you to the Mississippi Highway Patrol and our local law enforcement agencies for working through the Christmas holidays to keep us safe.”
The American Automobile Association estimates that over 115 million travelers will go more than 50 miles from their homes this holiday season.
“During this joyous season, the Mississippi Highway Patrol would like to encourage everyone to be mindful of safety as they travel to visit friends and loved ones,” Outgoing MHP Colonel Randy Ginn said. “Troopers will work to ensure Mississippi motorists arrive at their destinations safely for the holidays and enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
For the New Year’s holiday, the travel period will begin on Saturday, December 30, at 6:00 a.m. and end on Monday, January 1, at midnight.
