To the editor:

How sad and what a waste! In the last few weeks, several young men have lost their lives in car accidents,  including two law enforcement officers. They had one thing in common: none was wearing a seat belt.  There’s no assurance that seat belts would have saved their lives, but there is a good possibility such a simple safety device would have increased their chances of survival. 

In my many years of life on this planet, I could cite numerous instances when this one-second click did indeed make a difference in whether a person lived or died. If you, the driver or passenger, are too “macho” to use seat belts, think of those who love you and will be devastated by your untimely death or severe injury.

Drivers, please refuse to turn on the ignition unless everyone is buckled up. It’s the least we can do to provide some measure of safety for our family and friends.