Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-06
Jail Sentence for
 Reckless AutOists
RECOMMENDED IN STATEMENT
 BY SECRETARY OF STATE
POINTERS FOR TRAFFIC
There Have Been Fourteen Deaths
 From Automobile Accidents in Con- necticut in Past Four Months.

Hartford, May SCa1fing attention to the fact that there have been four teen deaths from automobile accidents in Connecticut during the first four months of 1914 as contrasted with six deaths during the corresponding pe- riod of 1913, Secrtary of State Albert T. Philipps today issued a statement calling for the strict enforcement of the automobile law and the Hberaa im- position of jail sentences by courts.
 In particular Secretary Philipps warns automobilists against the danger of passing standing trolley cara
 After a thorough investigation of the cases frequently reported" says the report '1 ind that large number have resulted from the following ity of cross streets and most fragrant of all. passing standing trolley cars that have stopped to take on or let off passengers"
 Commenting upon his power to sus- pend or revoke operators licenses following an accident, Secretary Phil lips says that this power will be fully exercised" but that it Is more import ant still that accidents be prevented The report goes on to say in part:
 This end can be accomplished in two ways; first, by good traffic regu- lations and, second, by a strict enforce ment of the law by the courts A few Of the lower courts have taken the proper view by imposing 1an sentences, but somehow or other the higher conrts in the final disposition of these cases drop the jail sentences and simply impose fines. A reckless driver read fly pays a fine but what he really fears is the serving of a jail sentence. If a few jail sentences were imposed there would be a less number of cases of reckless driving and operating under the influence of liquor.
 Tho policy of Judge Coughhn of the city court of Bridgeport and Judge Thoms of the city court of Waterbury in imposing jail sentences is to be re- commended.
 Reckless speed through the center | of a city is a very conmong occurrencs and can only be prevented by proper traffic regulations.
 T do not desire to tell the police au- thorities what they must do. but it seems to be instead of placing traffic | officers in a beautiful park on the out skirts of the city 1t would be better for them to have the traffic officers sta- tioned in business thoroughfares where traffic is congested. This will prevent speeding where most damage can be | done, and is done.
 with reference to automobiles pass | ing tEolley oars discharging passengerS there seems no better doctrine than an | extract from an editorial published in | the Bridgeport Telegram of April 27,
 
 passing a trolley car dischargfng pas | sengers, its rate of speed should be | eun1cfeHtfy slew to permit of its being l instantly stopped. If 1t cannot be stop ped promptly, is, is going too fast- T desire 10 go one step further. Ths present law provides that any speed | over three miles an hour while passing | a trolley ear is pFima faeie evidence | of reckless driving. let, in my opfn- ion. the safer policy to follow is to stop and wait until the passengers have been discharged, and then, when | the care starts on its way, endeavor to pass while the car is in motion. eff every autemehiltst followed this rule there would be no accidents ek ! q cannot plead too strongly v4tA | those who drive automobiles to see te | ft that their ear is brought to a stop when approaching a trolley car that | is not in metfen.
 | q desire to call the attention of ths police authorities to the enfsxoement | Of the law that every operator have q | license to drive In a nufpber of ae- cideHt cases investigated < has beea found that the operator did not have | a license
 sNith the eo-aeeFatien of the. aszxts the number of accidents can be great | ly natniaized,
 "fhe autoFaoAiie aseeeiatteas- -fear;n< the result of go muck reckless a1epat,- | fas have started a movement caned
 safety first" Personally. I feea thaS the enfeFeenent of the taW, | Signed.
 | ALBERT F, PHILLIPS Secretary ef StAte
 Das's is1{a ss Far'f'Ed' this 9th saS 'f Aas