Police are not waiting for the official arrival of New Year’s Eve to begin watching for drunk drivers and others who create hazards on public roads.

While police in Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding towns are preparing for a lively weekend, Maine State Police have started early with additional traffic enforcement efforts centered around New Year’s Eve. The chief of the state police, Col. Craig A. Poulin, said he assigned additional patrols this week that will continue through New Year’s Day.

Poulin said troopers on the ground will be augmented by the two state police planes, which are scheduled to fly through the weekend. The chief said the additional patrols will be looking for drunk drivers, speeders and those operating after suspension of their driver’s license. Poulin said troopers have cited more than 2,000 drivers this year for OAS.

“State police will do all we can to end 2006 as safe as possible,” Poulin said. “Drivers need to avoid drinking and driving, hosts need to provide nonalcoholic beverages and every vehicle should have a designated driver.”

The chief also appealed for the public’s help in reporting suspended drivers.

“A community effort is needed to get suspended drivers off the road,” Poulin said. “Police will do their part, but we need the help of others to report when a suspended driver is behind the wheel.”

Police departments in most cities, including Lewiston and Auburn, will be increasing coverage over the holiday weekend.

“Find a designated driver, be responsible and have a safe holiday,” said Lewiston police Sgt. Danny Lachance.

Eleven people have died on Maine roads in the past eight days, bringing the state’s highway death toll to 185 for the year.

That’s 16 more highway deaths than occurred during 2005, which was the safest year on Maine roads since 1982.

In addition to the six who died in a two-car crash in Poland over the weekend, five others died in separate motor vehicle crashes in the past week in Dayton, Calais, Waterville, Naples and Winthrop.