Police plan heavy presence for holiday weekend

Impaired, aggressive or distracted driving will not be tolerated. (Courtesy photo)

The watchwords for motorists this holiday weekend are, "Stay free," as in hands, drugs, alcohol and aggression. For those who don't: drivers beware.

State Police in Maine and New Hampshire as well as Milton and Rochester Police Departments say they will be out in force for the Independence Day weekend looking for impaired, aggressive and distracted drivers in an effort to keep the highways and byways as safe as possible.

Maine State Police plan to utilize additional troopers, unmarked cruisers and airplanes in traffic enforcement efforts.

Maine State Police Col. Robert Williams said the first two weeks of July are traditionally one of the busiest times on Maine roads because of vacationers.

"State Police will be looking for aggressive and impaired drivers and enforcing Maine's seat belt and texting laws," said Williams, noting that because of the high volume of traffic, July and August are two of the deadliest months on Maine roads. He said the additional enforcement will continue through Labor Day.

Maine Troopers joined their counterparts from Massachusetts and New Hampshire earlier this week at Hilton Park in Dover, N.H., to outline each state's enforcement efforts for the holiday weekend.

In New Hampshire the recently enacted Hands Free law, which prohibits the holding of mobile electronic devices including cellphones and all data entry, will be strictly enforced, as well as impaired and aggressive drivers, police say.

Milton Police Chief Richard Krauss and Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said their officers will also be enforcing the Hands Free law, but whether offenders get a warning or a stiff fine will be up to the individual officer.