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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 23, 1992                   TAG: 9201280013
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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BUCKLE UP, OR GET TO CRIME QUICKER?

I WOULD LIKE to ask the author of the Jan. 11 letter, "Different set of laws for police": How many times has he had a battle with his safety belt trying to get it untangled to fasten it, or get his arm untangled from the shoulder strap to get out of the car?

When police officers are responding to an emergency situation, many times they do not have time to fight with their safety belt. When officers don't fasten their belts, it is not because they are trying to break the law - they are trying to protect it by being able to get out of their vehicle quickly and respond to the emergency call.

If someone was burglarizing your home or business or holding you at gunpoint, would you want the police officer responding to the call to take the time to fasten and unfasten his or her safety belt, or would you want them to get there as soon as possible?

I believe everyone should always wear their safety belts. (I always wear mine.) The point is, it is not always feasible for police officers to wear their safety belts.

It is very sad and tragic that Fred Robinson lost his life. Instead of saying that he died because he was not wearing his safety belt, we should say that Officer Robinson lost his life trying to protect the citizens of Roanoke. KIMBERLY L. MAGGARD VINTON

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