State police are stepping up traffic enforcement this fourth of July weekend, deploying additional troopers, unmarked cruisers and an airplane.

“Troopers will be looking for distracted, aggressive and impaired drivers and enforcing Maine’s seat belt laws," Col. Robert Williams, state police chief, said in a news release Thursday. "Troopers are also observing many drivers abusing Maine’s no texting law and they will be taking the appropriate enforcement action when spotting that violation.”

The beefed up road patrols will continue throughout July and August, the busiest and deadliest period on Maine roads.

A total of 43 people died in traffic crashes during July and August last year, the release said.

According to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, 61 people have been killed so far this year on Maine roads, a slight uptick compared to this time last year.

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