The Mississippi Highway Patrol is urging travelers on Mississippi highways to drive safely during the holiday weekend.

A public affairs spokesman for the 10-county Batesville district, Sgt. Leslie White, says MHP troopers have been told to monitor conditions that normally contribute to accidents, including speeding, failure to yield rights of way, following too closely and the use of drugs or alcohol.

He also said MHP is using call-back details, which provide overtime funds in a federal grant so that all roads will be covered during the holiday driving periods.

The Christmas driving period began at 6 p.m. Friday and continues through midnight Christmas Day.

The 10-county Batesville district includes DeSoto, Tate, Panola, Marshall, Tunica, Lafayette, Yalobusha, Tallahatchie, Quitman and Coahoma counties.