Labor Day weekend is generally one of the busier travel weekends of the year, and area law enforcement officials want to make sure those travelers get to their destination in one piece.

Representatives from our area agencies met at the state line once again today for the "Hands Across the Border" event. Officers will be out in full force this weekend, cracking down on bad drivers.

For the last 17 years law enforcement from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama have been joining forces in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities during the Labor Day weekend.

"This is the end of the summer driving season for us, it ends up on Labor Day, and what we’re going to be looking for is the impaired driver."

Those impaired drivers caused 21 of the 34 accidents that occurred in the panhandle during the 2007 three-day Labor Day weekend.

Officials say last year there were 39 deaths during the Labor Day weekend, and this year they are determined to decrease that number.

"Law enforcement will show a zero tolerance for unbuckled, impaired, or speeding motorists. There will be no warnings; there will be no excuses when you’re caught speeding or breaking the law."

Jackson Co. Sheriff John McDaniel says they will be setting up dui check points and roving dui patrols to keep drunk drivers off the streets.

"If you’re impaired, call a taxi or a friend to come and get you. Do not drink and drive. There will be zero tolerance for drinking and driving."

The increased patrols will also be targeting speeders and those not wearing seat belts. Of the 39 killed last Labor Day holiday, 10 were pedestrians, 23 were drivers, and six were passengers. Seven of the people who died were under 21.