AHOSKIE – The news was good, for a change.

The 2008 Memorial Day holiday weekend saw no motor vehicle fatalities in the three counties (Bertie, Gates, Hertford) covered by Troop A, District 2 of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

“We got through the heavily traveled weekend in great shape,” NCHP First Sgt. Todd Lane said. “We strongly feel that the reduction in the number of collisions plus a very low number of DWI (Driving While Impaired) arrests was due to the Highway Patrol’s strong and ongoing public education programs plus a clear and visible presence by our troopers on the local roadways. All of that helps tremendously.”

First Sgt. Lane reported no fatalities on those local roads. There were only nine total accidents over the four-day holiday weekend.

“The best news was that none of those nine accidents were alcohol related,” First Sgt. Lane noted.

With a strong presence on the local roads during the holiday travel period, District 2 troopers doled out 141 speeding tickets, 28 seat belt citations and issued seven tickets to drivers who were in violation of the state’s vehicular child restraint laws.

“We had only three DWI arrests over the weekend,” First Sgt. Lane said. “Hopefully, such a low number is an indication that our efforts are working to educate the public that drinking and driving do not mix.”

Statewide, there were five motor vehicle deaths during the 2008 Memorial Day weekend compared to 19 last year.