State Police: Please drive with respect

James Butcher's daughter, Courtney, was killed last April by a "show off'' who drove more than 80 mph in a 30 mph zone in Leicester.

Today, at a press conference announcing the Massachusetts State Police's latest Road Respect Campaign, he shared his story, hoping that teens and other drivers hearing about his 18-year-old daughter's death will make them change how they drive.

"The ripple affects of driving like an idiot creates so much pain for people,'' said Butcher, a Westborough District Court probation officer. "I hope kids take this seriously."

Police officers from the state police, Natick, Holliston, Wellesley, Watertown and Arlington, gathered at Natick District Court to announce the latest mobilization, which starts today and continues to April 16.

The mobilization will put extra police officers on the roads, targeting aggressive and distracted drivers, said state police Col. Mark Delaney.

He said there will also be numerous print and Internet advertisements promoting safer driving.

"The long-term goal of this initiative is to get all Massachusetts drivers to think about the decisions they make behind the wheels and how they affect others on the road," Delaney said.

Falmouth Police Chief Anthony Riello, who is also the head of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, said he hopes the initiative will make people think more when they're behind the wheel.

"Most people we deal with everyday are very professional, law-abiding people and then they get behind the wheel ... it's crazy,'' he said. "If folks could behave how they do normally when they get behind the wheel, we would be all set.''

To help pay for the extra-patrols, the state awarded more than $372,000 in grants to municipal police departments.

Local police departments that received money, and the amount, were: Blackstone, $900; Dedham, $1,400; Dover, $900; Framingham, $2,000; Franklin, $2,000; Holliston, $1,400; Hopkinton, $1,400; Hudson, $1,400; Marlborough, $2,000; Milford, $1,400; Natick, $2,000; Newton, $2,800; Northbridge, $1,400; Sherborn, $900; Shrewbury, $2,000; Upton, $900; Uxbridge, $1,400; Waltham, $2,000, Wayland, $1,400; Wellesley, $1,400 and Westborough, $1,400