Several southern Maine communities were awarded grants to beef up patrols in hopes of keeping highway deaths to a minimum during the holidays, Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland announced Dec. 5.

The following grants were awarded by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety:

Biddeford Police Department, $4,992; Saco Police Department, $10,508; Windham Police Department, $6,760 and York County Sheriff’s Office. $3,818.

Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, said a total of 43 police agencies are taking part in the program, utilizing $262,000 in federal highway safety funding.

The additional patrols, which began in late November, are aimed at drunk driving, seat belt usage and child restraint enforcement. “There are holiday parties throughout December and drivers sometimes make bad choices by drinking too much and ignoring Maine traffic laws,” said Stewart. “The additional police presence during the month is intended to make Maine roads safer.”

Maine’s highway death toll for the year stands at 146, according to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. That is 26 fewer deaths than at this time last year. Highway Safety reports 11 people died on Maine roads during November, compared to 20 deaths during November of 2007.