The Mississippi Highway Patrol will begin the 2016 Labor Day Enforcement Period at 6 p.m. on Friday and conclude at midnight on Monday.

Due to anticipation of heavy traffic and a significant increase in traffic fatalities for 2016, troopers will place emphasis on saturation patrols to combat reckless and distracted driving. Additional safety checkpoints will be established to promote seatbelt usage and remove impaired drivers from the roadways. Drivers are urged to avoid text messaging or any driver distraction that could endanger lives while traveling.

MHP investigated 132 crashes including four fatalities during the 2015 Labor Day enforcement period.