Ellington

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) — Wherever you travel in South Mississippi throughout this week, chances are you will see safety checkpoints or officers pulling over motorists.

Police, deputies and state troopers across the Coast are making a unified effort to stop impaired drivers and promote the use of seatbelts. The effort is part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign.

Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson tells The Sun Herald it's all about promoting safety.

Peterson says the overall aim is to reduce vehicle-related injuries and fatalities.

The increased presence of patrol cars started last Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

Long Beach Police Chief Wayne McDowell says the checkpoints will be conducted in such a way as to pose a minimal inconvenience to the driving public.