As the May 31 Memorial Day weekend approaches, Beeville Police Chief Joe Treviño is reminding motorists here that his department will join the upcoming Click It or Ticket campaign.

Starting May 24 and continuing through June 6, state and local law enforcement officers will join other agencies across the United States to encourage the use of seat belts by issuing citations to those who fail to click their belts.

Treviño said no one wants to get one of those tickets here. Anyone caught driving or riding without a seat belt in Beeville could face a fine of $297 in municipal court.

The chief said the main reason to wear a seat belt is not to avoid a ticket. Instead, people riding in vehicles should be more concerned about being seriously injured or killed in a traffic accident.

And the chances of escaping serious injury or death are enhanced by those who wear safety belts in vehicles.