Live free and you might actually die

As the old saw goes: Do as I say, not as I do.

That's the message from "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer and Mitt Romney, neither of whom apparently wore seatbelts during an in-the-car interview yesterday on the campaign trail in New Hampshire.

Lauer, who was trailing Romney all day yesterday, continued his interview as Romney drove from Alton, NH, where he had spoken to high schoolers, to Laconia, NH, where he held a town hall meeting later in the day. Both were unbuckled.

On this morning's show, Lauer apologized. "It was the wrong example to set," he said. Lauer had recently challenged New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine for not wearing a seat belt during a serious crash on April 12 that left him with a broken leg and other injuries.

Romney also issued a statement apologizing for his safety lapse. "Sometimes I forget to wear my seat belt," he said. "For my own safety, I need to keep reminding myself to buckle up."