The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-20

Safety FlrSt Tn every parucul a Need of Campaign
 With the magic-like expansion of Bridgeport during the past few years. from an over-grown town to i've, huslting. sbustling, modern city, with < densely settled population and con rested street traffic. the need of the Safety First educational campaign is keen necessity Like every other bir city, Bridgeport has troubles from numerous street accidents. burglars 3 and other criminal operations. Many Of the accidents and much of the other trouble is preventable, and that fs the aim of those behind the new campaign.
 when one learns and consider that 80 per cent of the vehicle traffic on the narrow, congested streets of Bridgeport is automobile traffic, more clear idea of the prominent po- eitfon of the automobile in affairs. IS obtained. Statistics show that 85 per cent. of all accidents are prevent < able and the authorities back of the : campaign, are out Ito prevent that 8 s per cent. of needless and avoidable accidents
 Assistance of, All Needed 5. It is the strong co-operation of J every man. woman and child. and par ticularly the vehicle drivers, that will accomplish the desired end. Nothing else will do 1t and the authorities urge everyone to assist them in the fight { to save life and limb.
 The pedestrian as well as the driv- CTS of vehicles must exercise Judg- ment and consideration. Cpnsidera- { ton for the rights Of others and a careful observance of the common rules of the road, will go a great ways towards solving the accident 2 Many Facilities Recorded
 On the highways in Connecticut. POP persons were killed in accidents z in 1916 and Bridgeport had its share of these fatalities On the basis that S5 per cent. of all accidents are pre- ventable, think of the number of lives < that might have been saved by the exercise of proper care anad judg- ment.
 Of the classes most frequently par ticipating in accidents. automobile [ drivers are held to the. strictest ac- countability by the many laws cover ing the operation of motor vehicles. Many drivers take too many chances
 
 estrian is the endangered party every chance of accident.
 Pedestrians Warned
 Pedestrians are warned to always be cautions and to look both ways for the possible approach of an automo- bile before crossing a street. It is the pedestrian who neg1ects this rule and steps from the curb unexpect- edly. who is struck and injured or perhaps killed
 The pedestrian. who cannot be ar rested for violation of any law, no matter when or where he crosses the streets. does many things which en- dangers his life. They are warned to cross streets at cross walks, which are the proper places and not diagonally or in the middle of blocks Persons who walk. are also especially warned against reading newspapers or any, thing else, when they cross streets.
 Look Before Leaplng
 Busy sreets filled with throngs o1 vehicles and pedestrians, are poor places for any pedestrian to pre-oc. cupy their minds with business o1 other matters. It Is the safest. tc have the mind clear and centered or what h going on around them. It is q common thing to see persons ster suddenly into the streets. reading newspapers, and walk directly in front -pf approaching automobiles. It is common to hear Of accidents which are caused by that fact. Many per. sons Jump from moving cars and land in front of automobiles The practice of walking to the front or rear of a S4endtng trolley car is another com mon cause of death and accident.
 Pedestrians are warned that they should not attempt to run across a busy street through heavy vehicle trafnc. The few seconds thus saved is not worth the risk of life that is thus taken. In the hurry of modern life, the average citizen takes too many chances in the wild rush to save few minutes time.
 Urge Motorists to Help.
 The motorists are also urged to do their share in the effort to eliminate preventable accidents. Too many of them take enhances in running pa st children, with machines not under oontroL It is very appropriately and truthful1y stated by the officials in their suggestions, that the chance taker is the accident maker.
 Too many motor drivers take chances in driving too fast, failing to sound proper signals, or use skid chains on wet or slippery pavements. Drivers are urged to show considera- tfon for the rights of pedestrians and other drivers
 Light Glare Tabooed.
 One of the most dangerous and most common forms of inconsidera- ton for the safety of everyone con ,, cerned, 1s the powerful guarding head .IiGht&. On practically every modern