SEABROOK, New Hampshire — New Hampshire and Maine State Police want motorists to know they will be out in full force over the Memorial Day weekend as drivers travel north to mark the unofficial start to summer.
“Please buckle up,” New Hampshire State Police Capt. Gary Wood said. “Don’t mix alcohol or drugs with your driving. Don’t drive distracted.”
Wood said both state police forces will have extra patrols on the highways over the three-day weekend looking for hazards such as distracted or impaired driving, speeding and other violations.
“Troopers will be using laser, radar and also assistance from the aircraft unit throughout the state, and we will be utilizing marked and unmarked cruisers, as well, throughout the weekend,” Wood said. “Our emphasis is to reduce serious crashes and fatal accidents.”
Wood asked motorists allow extra time for travel over the holiday weekend and, if they are going to be drinking, to make sure they either use a designated driver or a taxi.
“Driving a vehicle while impaired is not worth the risk of losing your life or someone else’s life,” Wood said. “Don’t let this weekend end in an arrest or, even worse, a tragic death.”
Maine State Police Lt. Erik Baker echoed Wood’s sentiments, adding his department will be looking for specific infractions, such as seat belt violations and distracted drivers, and have additional units on the roads and in the air.
“We are challenging you to give us a good weekend; only you can make it safer for us as well,” Baker said. “So, if you see someone who is intoxicated, have them give you the keys and you drive them home. If you see someone without a seat belt who is riding in your car, it is your responsibility to tell them to make sure the seat belt is on.”
While Wood did not give an exact number of how many extra troopers would be on New Hampshire roads during the weekend, he spoke highly of the cooperation between his department and the Maine and Massachusetts State Police.
“We have always had a great working relationship with our bordering states,” Wood said. “Our goal is the same as the other states and that is to ensure that we can (increase) public safety, reduce traffic accidents, and ensure that everybody has a good time.”
Both state police departments also will use social media to keep the public informed throughout the weekend. Wood urged drivers who believe they may have spotted a drunken driver to call 911.
“The weather is going to be great for the people traveling, and we just want let the public know that we are going to be out there so that they get to their destination safely,” Wood said.
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