The upcoming Independence Day weekend is expected to be a busy one, with as many as 72.2 million Americans taking their celebrations on the road.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is one of many state and local agencies gearing up for the surge in travel. MHP officials announced Wednesday that the annual travel enforcement period will kick off at midnight on Thursday, July 3, and will run through midnight on Sunday, July 6.
In that four-day span, a higher-than-usual number of troopers will be deployed across the Magnolia State. MHP will conduct high-visibility patrols, establishing strategic checkpoints aimed at deterring impaired and unsafe driving behavior.
“As we celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy, let’s remember the men and women in law enforcement and all first responders who are working to keep us safe,” Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said. “The Mississippi Highway Patrol will be out enforcing traffic laws, and agencies across the state will be on duty. Thank you to all who serve this holiday.”
The intensified law enforcement efforts this holiday weekend are all focused on enhancing road safety, with a strong emphasis on promoting proper use of seat belts and child restraint systems.
According to Captain Criss Turnipseed, MHP investigated 141 wrecks during the 2024 Independence Day travel period. Four of the crashes were fatal. 149 DUI arrests were also made on state and federal highway systems, along with 876 citations being issued for occupant restraint violations.
