AUGUSTA (AP) — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Maine. For police, it’s time to beef up enforcement of Maine’s seat belt laws as highways become busier.

Maine Highway Safety Director Lauren Stewart said 68 police agencies, including state police, are sharing $226,000 in federal funding to conduct overtime patrols.

The campaign, which is already underway, coincides with a national effort that will continue until June 1. Stewart said the campaign is important because half of last year’s fatal crashes in Maine involved motorists who were not buckled up.

In addition, state police plan more than 40 different enforcement activities of their own through the weekend as part of their annual Memorial Day safety efforts.