We are now officially in the month of September and while that means another month of hurricane season is under our belts, it also means an important holiday is coming up.

It may not be the holiday that makes the top of everyone’s favorites list like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but it is a holiday that makes other lists, Labor Day.

While Christmas, Thanksgiving and even Halloween are loved by many for their gifts, food and excuse to dress up respectively, Labor Day is that holiday people look forward to as an excuse to sit back and relax.

That also means the day has been added to the list law enforcement agencies use to determine when to conduct traffic enforcement periods in an effort to deter drunk driving.

That’s because the Labor Day holiday weekend is typically a time when hard working individuals prepare the grill and spend time with family and friends. Localized parties will ensue, and with it those festivities will include adult beverages. And it’s those parties that will be of concern to troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Most of our county’s residents will use restraint during this time of the year and either refrain from drinking, or call on a sober person to take them home.

Last year hundreds of citations were issued, in addition to dozens of DUI arrests as a result of the department’s DUI enforcement period.

Fortunately, there were no deaths related to motor vehicle accidents last year during the Labor Day weekend within Pearl River County.

We hope that trend continues this year, as people put forth restraint to either not drive when they are intoxicated, or utilize a designated driver.

But, keep in mind that statewide there were 170 motor vehicle crashes, one involving a death last year. This year, aim for a holiday with no accidents, and as such no deaths from vehicle accidents not just in Pearl River County, but across the state.