Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Checkpoints

Mississippi Hwy Patrol Troop K started conducting checkpoints Tuesday at 6 p.m. and already, MS Highway Patrol Master Sgt. Johnny Poulos said they’ve made two DUI arrests.

Safety checkpoints have been set up in Harrison, Hancock, Pearl River, Jackson, Stone and George counties. Troopers will check for seatbelt use, drunk driving, driver’s license and insurance.

Poulos said, troopers will also be watching for distracted drivers.

“Distracted driving is a killer also, people who are not drinking, maybe focusing on something other than driving like texting or what's going on inside the car. Husbands and wives trying to feed their children while they are driving,” Poulos explained. “Innocent people lose their lives everyday due to distracted driving.”

Poulos said motorists going through checkpoints should be prepared with their driver’s license and insurance cards so they can pass through the checkpoints as quickly as possible.

He said one of the most significant things motorists can do is drive defensively.

“Keep in mind, your main mission is to arrive at your destination safely. That includes your family and someone else’s family and if we all work together we can all accomplish that mission.

The checkpoints will run all day until midnight.

“We didn't have one fatality statewide during last Memorial Day weekend,” Poulos said.

He said he hopes to continue zero fatalities during this holiday.

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