DEAR ABBY: In response to the letter about teen-agers not wearing seatbelts, I would like to share how I finally started wearing one.
I had all the excuses in the world why I didn't need one. Twenty years ago, I was a rookie cop in San Diego. I was in and out of my squad car constantly. I was convinced I needed to be ready to jump out and run at a moment's notice. Like most cops, I felt I was invincible.
My boyfriend worried that I would be in an accident. One day he walked up to my squad car and said, "Just think of the seatbelt as my arms wrapped around you, holding you until you're safely back in my arms again." From that day on, I have always buckled up. I used the same strategy with my daughter -- and now my grandson. It works. -- LESLIE HUTCHISON, FALLS CHURCH, VA.
DEAR LESLIE: I'm not surprised. That's a dose of medicine anyone would be pleased to take -- me included.