Lawrence police will increase traffic patrols during Thanksgiving weekend to curb drunken-driving accidents.

With motorists hitting the road to visit family or begin holiday shopping, Lawrence police will be out in greater force, thanks to a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, according to Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman.

Officers will especially be looking for alcohol and seat-belt violations. Under Kansas law, officers may stop drivers solely based on their failure to wear a seat belt.