The Mississippi Highway Patrol will kick off the 2016 Thanksgiving travel enforcement period with a safety awareness initiative implemented by the public affairs division. 

“Line To Line” will be conducted on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on I-55.

Due to an increase in traffic fatalities and anticipation of heavy holiday traffic, state troopers will patrol I-55 from the Tennessee state line to the Louisiana state line, said Capt. Johnny Poulos, director of MHP public affairs. “This high visibility safety initiative is designed to ensure safe holiday travel for motorists and combat reckless driving along with speeding and distracted driving issues.”

The official travel enforcement period begins Wednesday at 6 p.m. and will conclude Sunday at midnight.

MHP investigated 221 crashes including four fatalities during last year’s Thanksgiving holiday, he said.

Safety checkpoints will be conducted by troopers in order to enforce child restraint and seatbelt laws while also removing impaired drivers.

“We urge motorists who are preparing to travel on the roadways to include safe driving as part of their plans,” he said.