More than 200 people were arrested for DUIs in Mississippi over Independence Day weekend — 44 more than in 2010 — according to the state Highway Patrol.
In District 5, which includes Oktibbeha and Lowndes counties, patrolmen issued 583 citations, investigated 11 crashes and arrested 20 people for drunken driving between 6 p.m. Friday and midnight Monday, said Troop F spokesman Ray Hall.
Statewide, MHP issued 5,211 citations, 212 tickets for seat belt violations, and responded to 130 wrecks — four that were alcohol-related — and one fatal crash in Simpson County.
Master Sgt. Johnny Poulos, spokesman for the state Highway Patrol, tells The Clarion-Ledger DUI arrests have increased since last year, but the seat belt citations have gone down.
There were 214 DUI arrests, up from total of 168 DUIs for the entire Independence Day weekend last year.
State police also made 10 drug arrests and 15 felony arrests, and handed out 43 citations for improper child restraint through midnight Sunday.
Dispatch writer Ryan Poe contributed to this story.
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