LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 390 deaths occurred nationally in traffic accidents over Labor Day weekend in 2010.
That's over 100 more deaths than New Year's weekend, at 286 deaths.
Only the four-day Thanksgiving holiday had more traffic related deaths than Labor Day at 417.
"It's the last holiday weekend of the summer," said Trooper Loy Hixson of NHP. "Temperatures are going to start changing so more people are out on the road."
NHP and other local law enforcement agencies will have additional officers on the streets, including DUI checkpoints.
Unlike avoiding a speeding ticket with a warning, there's no lenience for driving under the influence.
"If you are under the influence, you will go to jail," said Hixson. "We're not gonna help you get a ride, we're not going to call a family relative, you will go straight to jail. We don't give any leeway like this because it's lives that we're saving," he added.
M.A.D.D.'s Kathy Bienenstein gets anxious every holiday weekend in Las Vegas. She regularly counsels victims of drunk driving, but also the offenders, the majority of whom only make excuses.
"They're not taking personal responsibility when they start their answer with a story," said Bienenstein.
She speaks monthly to misdemeanor DUI offenders in southern Nevada in groups of 50.
Integrity seems to be at a loss according to Bienenstein. "Statistics show that of the 50 people that attend, sometimes half will be back again."
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