The Mississippi Highway Patrol wrapped up enforcement efforts for the 2025-26 New Year Holiday Travel Period, reporting Friday over 90 crashes but no fatalities.
The statewide travel period began on Wednesday at 6 a.m. and concluded at midnight on Thursday. During the timespan, troopers opened investigations into 95 crashes that resulted in 11 injuries.
Troopers also issued 3,221 citations, made 34 arrests for impaired driving, and cited 427 motorists for seatbelt violations.
The total number of citations issued by troopers during the 2025-26 New Year Holiday Travel Period was slightly up from the 2024-25 number of 3,098. Impaired driving saw an uptick, as well, after 27 were arrested a year ago.
Most importantly, according to MHP Capt. Criss Turnipseed, the 2025-26 New Year Holiday Travel Period saw no deaths and fewer injuries than the one fatality and 21 injuries reported in 2024-25.
“I’m proud to report that we had no fatalities over the New Year’s Holiday Travel Period, which is a good thing. I’m elated here,” Turnipseed said. “We had 95 crashes over the period, but the most important number is that big zero deaths, that is something to celebrate, and that’s starting the New Year off good.”
Turnipseed urges motorists to drive sober, buckle up, and follow traffic laws year-round.