Maine State Police are using unmarked cruisers, additional troopers and aircraft for traffic enforcement during the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Col. Robert Williams, chief of the state police, said police will be looking for “aggressive and impaired drivers” and will also enforce laws about seat belt use and texting while driving.

Williams said Maine highway deaths are down about a sixth from this time last year. Maine officials reported 50 highway deaths in 2014, which was the safest year on Maine roads since 1944.

Williams said the state police and dozens of police departments are using $643,000 in federal highway safety money to pay for the additional patrols to look for drunken drivers.


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