Local law enforcement officials say the Memorial Day holidayweekend was pleasantly uneventful.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop M reported only two accidentsduring the holiday period between Friday evening and the end ofMonday. Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Rusty Boyd said he believespart of the reason people were watching their behavior on theroadways was because of trooper visibility.

“Hopefully just being visible helped,” he said. “DUIs were downover last year and that could have been added manpower. I thinkbeing more visible hopefully kept them off the roadway.”

Another factor that added to safety on the roads this weekend,Boyd said, was the continued “Click It or Ticket” campaign, whichplaces an emphasis on driver safety.

“We were specifically looking for unrestrained motorists andchild restraints,” he said. “We also had drivers’ licensecheckpoints.”

In its nine-county district, Troop M reported 136 tickets issuedfor seat belt violations, as well as 34 child restraint tickets.There were only 25 DUIs issued, as well as two drug arrests andthree other felony arrests.

Boyd said with the addition of 10 new troopers in the lastgraduating trooper class, there were more troopers on the road inaddition to the usual added holiday work schedule.

Brookhaven Police Department reported two arrests for DUI overthe weekend, which Assistant Police Chief Nolan Jones said is notunusual for a holiday weekend such as Memorial Day.

“We always get a few DUIs, and that would be par for thecourse,” he said.

City police also reported 20 speeding tickets and 25 seat beltviolations, in addition to numerous other tickets issued. Jonessaid there were a few random roadblocks, set up throughout theweekend, that netted some other tickets.

“We did random roadblocking that resulted in some of thesecitations and arrests,” he said. “And really, overall we had afairly quiet weekend.”

Jones, like Boyd, said having officers on the road always helpsin keeping down offenders.

“The high visibility did deter some of it I think,” he said.”And when we can get by with no more than what we had, that’s arelief on a holiday like that.”

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said county roads werequiet as well.

“We set up a few roadblocks and we’re always out patrolling,” hesaid. “I don’t think we had but one wreck, so it was a good quietweekend.”

Rushing said while there wasn’t a lot of extra activity, hisdeputies were vigilant throughout the weekend.

“I had guys out working and riding the roads, but there wasnothing major to report,” he said. “You’re always glad to get aholiday weekend by you with nothing major, no major injuries orincidents.”

And some officials said it was possible that gas prices may havehad something to do with lower traffic totals, with some holidayrevelers staying home to save on travel costs.

“I’m sure that may have played its part,” Boyd said.