MSP to increase holiday patrols

8 years ago

The Maine State Police will have additional troopers on patrol and in their plane in the air during the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Col. Robert Williams, Maine State Police chief, said troopers will be looking for aggressive, impaired and texting drivers, as well as seat belt violators following a rash of fatal crashes this month. 

Williams said in six of the past 10 highway deaths, the crash victims were not wearing seat belts and died after being thrown out of the vehicles.

The chief cautioned drivers to be prepared for sudden winter driving conditions over the weekend as falling temperatures can result in ice and snow on the roadways.

The four-day Thanksgiving weekend traditionally has been a deadly one on Maine roads. There have been at least four deaths in each of the past four Thanksgiving weekends, Williams said.