Troopers vigilant during Memorial Day holiday travel period

Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers will be busy along the state’s highways this weekend as travelers venture out on the first main holiday weekend of 2024.  

The Memorial Day holiday travel period for the Mississippi Highway Patrol began at 6 a.m. Friday morning and will conclude on Monday, May  27 at 12 midnight. 

Especially during this time, troopers will conduct high-visibility patrols to promote safe travel and deter unsafe driving practices. Troopers will also assist motorists with roadside issues by dialing *HP (*47) from  their mobile devices. 

The Memorial Day holiday travel period coincides with the national “Click-it or Ticket” safety campaign, so the state occupant restraint (seat belt) laws will be heavily encouraged over the  holiday period. 

During the 2023 Memorial Day holiday travel period, MHP investigated 156 crashes with three fatalities and made 170 DUI arrests on state and federal highway systems. MHP also issued 961 citations for occupant restraint violations during the period. 

“On this Memorial Day, the majority of us will be gathering with our family and friends, but let’s take the time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the United States of America,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “Let’s also remember to thank our law enforcement officers across the state who have made the commitment to keep our citizens and roadways safe day in and day out and who are working through this holiday to ensure safety to each of us.” 

“As we gather this weekend to enjoy the holiday, let’s take a moment to remember those who sacrificed  everything to keep our nation free,” added Lt. Colonel James Ivory, Assistant Director of the  Mississippi Highway Patrol. “We must also remember to keep safety a priority this weekend.  Troopers will spend their holiday ensuring that travel goes smoothly this Memorial Day season.”