The North Dakota Highway Patrol says troopers issued 972 citations, including 600 speeding tickets, over the Fourth of July weekend.

That compares with 1,068 total citations and 597 speeding tickets last year.

Highway Patrol Maj. Neil Johnson says the good news is that troopers had no reports of highway fatalities or alcohol-related crashes over the holiday break.

The patrol made 28 drunken driving arrests.

Johnson says the reduction in total tickets may be due to a shorter reporting period, since July 4th fell on a Saturday this year.

Associated Press