LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials are urging Nebraska motorists to fasten their seatbelts in the wake of an uptick in traffic fatalities so far this year. Gov. Dave Heineman issued the safety warning Thursday, in advance of the Memorial Day weekend. The Nebraska State Patrol has recorded 65 traffic deaths so far this year, an increase of eight over the same period one year ago. Fifty-three of those deaths involved motor vehicles that have seatbelts, but state officials say 42 of the victims were not buckled up. The increase follows two straight years of reduced traffic fatalities, with 181 deaths in 2011. Heineman spoke at the patrol headquarters in Lincoln to promote “Click It or Ticket,” a national campaign that started on Monday and runs through June 3.