During the last two weeks of December, I saw this admonition several times on the Caltrans-operated Amber Alert signboards that overhang portions of highways 85 and 17.

While I applaud whoever came up with the slogan, I have no such admiration for the people who chose to ignore it—irresponsible folks whom I witness at least once or twice every time I go anywhere in my car. I find these people's actions both incomprehensible and reprehensible, especially when the unbuckled passengers are children.

Since early January is traditionally a time for introspection and making resolutions, I'd like to address the drivers and passengers who still—whether accidentally or on purpose—do not wear their safety belts.

The facts and figures provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) are enough to shake anyone up. In 2001, 11,868 individuals wearing restraints (which includes children in safety seats and adults wearing safety belts) died in automobile crashes. The number of unrestrained individuals who died in crashes that year is much higher: 17,471.

In 2000, the figures were similar: 11,733 deaths for those wearing restraints, compared to 17,864 deaths for those who were not.

In case these facts and figures are too nebulous, I've also prepared a question-and-answer session; for every reason I've heard on why people dislike safety belts, I have an appropriate reply.

* "My life is determined by fate. The events that will cause my death are inevitable, so why should I concern myself?"

California state law makes no exceptions for fatalists. An unrestrained child passenger results in a $100 fine if seen by a police officer, while the fine for an unrestrained adult passenger (or driver) is a $20 fine. And that's just for the first offense—penalties get worse for repeat offenders, and all offenders have these infractions recorded on their driving records.

So why lose money and credibility? And even if you are a fatalist, at least buckle up for the friends and family members who love you and don't deserve to fret about your safety.

* "But I'm a slow and careful driver!"

Fatalities involving unrestrained passengers have been reported at speeds under 20 miles per hour. And no matter how slowly you drive, that doesn't offer protection against other drivers who may recklessly plow into you.

* "My car is equipped with air bags."

According to FARS, 6,553 lives were saved between 1987 and 2000 thanks to air bags, but this doesn't specify whether the people were also wearing safety belts. To me, wearing safety belts in an air bag­enabled car is like wearing earmuff-style hearing protection on top of foam earplugs at a shooting range—there's no harm in being doubly protected!

* "What if my car is on fire or underwater and I need to get out quickly?"

It's true that some people have died in water or flames because they couldn't release their safety belts. However, this is the exception, not the rule. In general, a safety belt will hold you in place and thus keep you conscious, which is of utmost importance for thinking clearly in the event of an accident.

* "Safety belts are too uncomfortable!"

That may be so, but the alternative is worse: Fly through the windshield, break your neck and sit in a safety belt­free wheelchair for the rest of your life.

* "Safety belts mess up my clothes!"

How about a nice, smooth body bag instead?

Shari Kaplan is the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and Saratoga News features editor.