Maine State Police have increased traffic enforcement through the July 4th holiday weekend and will continue to boast stepped-up efforts all summer long.

Troopers are looking for aggressive, drunk and distracted drivers, as well as anyone speeding, texting or not wearing seat belts, said Col. Robert Williams, state police chief.

“The July 4th holiday week is one of the busiest weeks on Maine roads and (our) goal is to make it a safe one,” Williams said Thursday in a news release. “Troopers will be using the State Police plane, unmarked vehicles, additional troopers and several special enforcement efforts to keep the roads safe.”

Williams noted that July 4th week also starts the summer tourist season, so many vacationers may not be familiar with Maine roads. Troopers will do their best to help motorists reach their destinations, Williams said, and he urged Maine drivers to be patient.

Williams said stepped-up traffic enforcement will continue through the summer because July and August are typically Maine’s deadliest months for car crashes. And 2014 has already been a tough year on Maine’s roads: 53 people have been killed so far this year, compared to 51 deaths during the same period last year, according to the Bureau of Highway Safety.

For drivers traveling outside Maine, increased traffic enforcement is scheduled in New Hampshire and Massachusetts as well.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.