Law enforcement units across the state are prepared for the traditional Memorial Day start of the summer season with additional patrols scheduled to work over the holiday weekend.
Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett said his office is ready with additional manpower, paid for in part by a grant from the state Dept. of Highway Safety intended to support seat belt enforcement.
“The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging people to drive responsibly, drive defensively and pay attention to the increase traffic flow this weekend,” Brackett said. “We do have some extra patrols scheduled. Basically we will be focusing on traffic enforcement, intoxicated drivers, and seat belt enforcement.”
Across the state, the extra enforcement comes as highway deaths in Maine are 42 percent higher than a year ago, according to a statement from the Dept. of Public Safety.
State Police Chief Col. Robert Williams said troopers will be looking for drunk and aggressive drivers, seat belt violations and monitoring any traffic tie-ups.
Williams said there would be several additional troopers working throughout the weekend, assisted by the State Police plane, which will be monitoring traffic from the air.
“Memorial Day weekend sets the tone for the summer driving season and State Police aim to make it a safe one,” Williams said. “Drivers need to avoid drinking and driving, buckle up, drive the speed limit, and stop texting.”
Williams said State Police also have joined 61 other Maine police agencies in a two-week effort to encourage seat belt usage.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety has awarded $139,000 in federal money to fund the statewide effort and to pay overtime patrols of officers looking for seat belt violations.
The seat belt patrols by Maine officers will continue to June 3 and coincides with a national campaign funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As of May 25, 47 people have died in Maine highway crashes this year, compared to 33 deaths a year earlier. During the 2011 Memorial Day weekend, two people lost their lives on Maine roads.
