WATERVILLE -- The Police Department has stepped-up enforcement of seat belt and OUI laws during the holiday season and will continue until the new year.

The department received more than $6,000 in grant funds from the state Bureau of Highway Safety this fall for the effort.

The intensified enforcement against drunk drivers as part of the nationwide "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" campaign will put additional officers on the street, either manning roadblocks or patrolling.

The grant also will fund a number of multi-officer seat belt enforcement details as well as single officer patrols. On Nov. 17, four officers set up an operation on streets, issuing 30 citations to drivers not properly secured in safety belts, according to Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey.

Impaired drivers and those who operate without proper use of seat belts contribute to tragic accidents as well as increase the likelihood of injury in the event of an accident, according to Rumsey and Police Chief Joseph Massey.

"These grant funds enable our officers to concentrate their efforts on these specific areas, while being free of the necessity of answering calls for service," Massey said.

One of the benefits of a multi-officer seat belt detail is that it is a high-visibility effort, Massey said.

"We have another detail scheduled for Monday, November 24th. Motorists in town that day should expect to see lots of blue lights flashing. If you are not wearing your seat belt, you can expect to see those lights flashing in your rearview mirror."

By getting the word out about the effort, police hope many motorists will buckle up.

"And even though law enforcement has seen nationwide reductions in drunk driving deaths since 2007, our work is far from over," Rumsey said. "We recommend designating a sober driver during the holidays and throughout the year, as well as refusing to let friends drive drunk."