Maine State Police are planning additional patrols and several special enforcement efforts beginning Friday for the long Memorial Day weekend.
State Police Chief, Col. Robert Williams, said troopers will be looking for drunk and aggressive drivers, speeders and enforcing Maine’s seat belt and no texting laws.
The chief said the Maine Turnpike and the Interstate, the state’s two busiest roads, will be a priority for the additional enforcement, but troopers also will be heavily patrolling the state’s secondary roads. The state police plane will be assisting in the weekend enforcement efforts.
Williams said, “Memorial Day weekend sets the tone for the summer driving season and the state police’s goal is to make it a safe one.”
Two people were killed in traffic crashes during last year’s Memorial Day weekend and three people died during the holiday weekend in 2011.
In addition to the state police enforcement effort, 83 other local and county police agencies are taking part in the annual Buckle Up – No Excuses campaign cracking down on those who don’t use their seat belts.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety has distributed just over $178,000 in federal highway safety funding to assist in the effort, which will pay for officer’s overtime. The Maine effort coincides with the national campaign, Click It or Ticket, which involves police from across the county.
