Monday at midnight, the Mississippi Highway Patrol completed its 2016 Memorial Day enforcement period.
During that time extra troopers patrolled Mississippi’s roadways and conducted safety checkpoints.
From Friday, May 27 until Monday at midnight, MHP officers issued 8,893 citations and made 164 DUI arrests statewide, the MHP release states.
Troopers investigated 132 crashes. There were two fatalities reported and 49 people injured, the release states.
Also during checkpoints, MHP officers issued 1,779 seatbelt citations and 99 child restraint violations, the release states.
Wednesday, Capt. Johnny Poulos, Director, Public Affairs Division for MHP, said motorists make safety more of a priority when they know law enforcement officials are conducting checkpoints.
“The checkpoints are a vital tool,” he added. “We can check driver’s licenses and check to see if passengers are properly restrained, especially children. Some parents unknowingly have the restraints installed improperly. Checkpoints are a vital tool when it comes to traffic.”
There were no vehicle-related deaths reported in Pearl River County, officials said.
Poplarville Police Chief Butch Raby said Memorial Day weekend in Poplarville ran smoothly traffic wise.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the department’s DUI officers performed a few DUI-related arrests, he said.
Picayune Police Department’s Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said officers responded to 11 traffic crashes, issued 54 citations and made one DUI arrest during the holiday weekend.
“During the summer months, there is a lot of traffic,” Poulos said. “We encourage our drivers to focus on safe driving to get from point A to point B safely.”