Area lawmen gear up for a busy holiday weekend

Police as well as State Troopers from Maine and New Hampshire will be out in force looking for impaired and distracted drivers. (Courtesy photo)

State Police in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts are planning a concerted effort this year to keep distracted, speeding, aggressive and impaired drivers of the region’s highways this Independence Day weekend.

The effort under way now actually began June 26 as lawmen ramped up their efforts to try to prevent what is often one of the deadliest weekends of the year on area roads.

This weekend’s State Police effort includes the use of “planes, unmarked vehicles, additional troopers and several special enforcement efforts to keep the roads safe,” according to a Maine Dept. of Safety press release last week.

Special OUI, DWI, seat belt and distracted driver details could also be utilized.

The Chief of the Maine State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, said troopers will be looking for aggressive, drunk and distracted drivers, speeders, those texting, and those not wearing their seat belts.

He added that the additional enforcement efforts will continue through the summer as July and August are Maine’s deadliest months for traffic crashes.  As of today, the Bureau of Highway Safety reports 53 people have been killed so far on Maine roads this year, compared to 51 deaths for the same period last year.

In Milton, Police Chief Richard Krauss said on Wednesday a normal holiday weekend complement of officers would be utilized.

In Rochester Deputy Chief Scott Dumas said today there would be a “significant” presence off officers the night of the fireworks at the Fairgrounds. As of now the fireworks are still on for tonight. If rain cancels the event, it will be postponed until Saturday.

Motorists are also urged to be extra vigilant for motorcyclists.