SOUTH POINT – Motorist will turn to the interstates and highways this weekend as we enter the Labor Day holiday, and the State Highway Patrol will be out in full force ensuring summer’s last blast is a safe one.

Thursday, August 30, 2001

SOUTH POINT – Motorist will turn to the interstates and highways this weekend as we enter the Labor Day holiday, and the State Highway Patrol will be out in full force ensuring summer’s last blast is a safe one.

According to statistics from the Highway Patrol, last year was the safest Labor Day weekend in the state with 12 fatalities related to traffic accidents. Three fatalities were alcohol related.

In Lawrence County, the patrol issued 600 citations and investigated 12 auto crashes which left 5 injured. The patrol wants to keep building on the holiday safety record and keep this weekend’s accidents in check.

"Traffic fatalities are often preventable," Lt. Carl Roark, commander of the Ironton Patrol post said. "We need citizens to become partners for safety obeying all traffic laws…public participation in safety efforts is the key to reducing traffic fatalities, which historically occur during this holiday weekend."

Roark said the patrol will have 16 of the 17 assigned troopers on the road this weekend, monitoring not only the major roadways, but also some of the secondary routes. He said with more troopers on the road the patrol will be able to provide coverage that is above the average for the holiday period.

In order to lend a few extra eyes in keeping the roads safe, the patrol is urging motorists to report dangerous or impaired drivers through the use of the toll-free number, 1-877-7-PATROL (1-877-772-8765).