WILTON — The Police Department has received an $8,148 grant to conduct traffic safety checkpoints and enforcement patrols as part of the 2009 High Visibility Holiday Enforcement campaign, Chief Dennis Brown said.

The money from the Bureau of Highway Safety will be used to check for drunken drivers and enforce the seat belt law, he said.

It is estimated that in 2008, 83 percent of vehicle occupants complied with state seat belt laws, up from 59 percent in 1998, he said. As part of this year's campaign, the department will provide education on the proper installation of child safety seat belts and distribute information that explains Maine's seat belt laws, he said.

The public can visit the Wilton Police Department at 874 Main St. between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for information on seat belt and child safety belts.

The department also will focus on drivers operating under the influence, Brown said, So far this year, officers have made 30 arrests for OUI.

"Maine's impaired driving laws will be strictly enforced, and it is highly encouraged that you have a designated driver that chooses not to drink any alcohol," he said.

Checkpoints will be set up at various times of the day on weekdays and weekends.