AUGUSTA -- Augusta police plan to step up patrols in the coming weeks as part of a campaign to nab drunken drivers.

The department will take part in the national drunken driving prevention campaign "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" Aug. 15 through Sept. 1, Augusta police Sgt. Chris Massey said.

The campaign will include about 25 directed patrols and two traffic safety checkpoints.

"Throughout the department, we're going to step up enforcement," Massey said.

The campaign, which will be paid for with a $5,000 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant, is part of the department ongoing effort to reduce drunken driving.

Since May, Augusta police have run extra weekend patrols and conducted a checkpoint on July 5, Massey said.

He hopes spreading word of the increased effort will prevent people from driving while intoxicated in the first place.

"If we don't make one arrest, that's great," Massey said. "It's all about prevention."

But those who do choose to drive after drinking will stand a much better chance of being nabbed. The extra patrols are targeted during periods that, statistically, have the highest rates of drunk driving.

The 15 directed patrols and one safety checkpoint run since May have netted 10 OUI arrests in addition to numerous traffic citations and warrant arrests, Massey said.

Police checked 180 vehicles during the four-hour checkpoint July 5 and made two OUI arrests.

"They've been real successful," Massey said.

Nearly 13,500 people were killed in U.S. highway crashes involving a driver with an illegal blood-alcohol level in 2006, according to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration.

Of the 6,471 drivers who were killed, nearly half were legally drunk.

In Augusta, there were 22 alcohol related accidents in 2006, Massey said.

Those convicted of drunken driving the first time face penalties of up to a 90-day license suspension, fines, jail time and mandatory counseling.

Craig Crosby--623-3811 Ext. 433

ccrosby@centralmaine.com