Stronger Police Presence on Local, State Roads this Weekend

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Local and state law enforcement agencies will be beefing up their patrols over the Labor Day weekend, to help make sure everyone’s summer ends on a happy note.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol will begin its 2018 Labor Day Travel Enforcement Period at 12:01 a.m. Friday and conclude Monday at midnight.

Due to the anticipation of heavy traffic, troopers will place emphasis on saturation patrols to combat speeding and reckless driving.

“Drivers should avoid text messaging or any driver distraction that could endanger lives and to have sober designated drivers in place when necessary,” said MHP Spokesman Capt. Johnny Poulos, director of the Public Affairs Division for MHP.

Safety checkpoints will be established throughout the period to promote seat belt usage and to remove impaired drivers from off the roadways.

In 2017, MHP investigated 124 wrecks that resulted in three deaths during the Labor Day weekend.

“We’re hoping all motorists and families will enjoy the holiday weekend of the summer and arrive at their destinations safely,” Poulos said.

Here on local streets, the Oxford Police Department will have extra officers out and about looking for people driving under the influence and driver’s without seat belts, according to Capt. Hildon Sessums.

With Ole Miss Rebels taking on Texas Tech Saturday in Houston, Sessums said he expects there to be fewer drivers on the road.

“It will also be the last chance for some students to go home until the end of September,” he said. “As always, please have a plan to get home before going out – taxi, Uber or a designated driver.”