The Connecticut State Police have begun their patrols for the July 4th holiday.

In an effort to reduce drunk driving and speeding, an increased amount of troopers will be patrolling the highways and local roads throughout the state and the state's Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E) is in effect until midnight on July 4.

Connecticut joins in the patrols with state police departments across the United States.

Troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints at several locations throughout the state during this time and will also use airplanes to enforce speed limits from the sky.

Troopers will use airplanes, laser speed detectors as well as marked and unmarked police cars to enhance highway safety during the July 4 holiday, police said in a press release.

Last year during the July 4 weekend, state police issued 2,205 speeding tickets, made 77 drunk driving arrests and 255 seat belt arrests.State police investigated 310 car accidents though none of them were fatal, police said.

Police plan to conduct DUI and sobriety checkpoints on Routes 2, 2A, 12, 164, 165,214 and Interstates 95 and 395, locally, in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Stonington and Waterford.