The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-05-03
Statistics Reveal
Interesting Facts
M. v. Survey Shows Keener Public Interest, Fatal
Accidents, Results OF Drink, Increase Hearings

The Connecticut motor vehicle
statistics for 1888. offering q
mathematical picture OF automo-
tive happenings on the highways
and byways of the state as we'll as
presenting essential data on the adj
ministration OF the department, will
soon be available TO the public In
pamphlet form as the Connect
cut Motor Vehicle Statistics for
1899" Ono OF the most important
actions OF the year was the forma-
tion. during the fall, OF a citizens
volunteer motor patrol by Colonel
Michael A. Conner. who assumed
the motor vehicle commissioners
ship juno I. 1898. This movement
has interested steadily increasing
nmbers Of citizens In making the
roads safe for all kinds of traffic,
vehicular as well as pedestrian.
Figures from the complain Sec
ton show the marked Increase IN
public interest. Not included In
the bulletin In the comparative
record for January and February
OF 1893 and 1894. During January
Of 1893 there were 2Gt complaints
received from the general public
and the various police authorities
In the state. During January OF
1894 1853 complaints were received.
During February Of 1888 there
were fG5 complaints recorded ~
compared with approximately 500
for 1874. The comparisons tell the
story.
Reports Filed Promptly
a. "a
tical bulletin the casual reader
might pass over the report from
the Suspension Section but impor-
tant data Is given there. During
tho fall of 1888 a more intensive
check on the courts OF the state
brought an immediate increase In
tho number of abstracts OF court
records and now 30 per cent OF the
courts have their reports In within
one week after cases arc disposed
OF. some exceptions being those
courts on "a monthly statement
basis.
Thousands OF dollars due the
state were collected during the fall
Of 1888 through cIogcr chcckup on
the courts and, In several cases, re-
Inducements were secured from
Constant communication III main
tanned with the courts. the county
commissioners and town treasur-
ers TO ensure the state receiving
promptly all motor vehicle fines
due. The present administration
OF the motor vehicle department
appreciates fully the value OF gath
erIng data on what has happened
In traffic control and guidance but
the importance Of preventing ae-
cldente, OF creating IN the public
mind a greater realization of each
individual drivers duty 10 operate
his or her car with caution and
full consideration for the rights Of
others, B deemed the paramount
accom- pIishmeDt 10 be achieved.
safety Education Advised
In addition 10 the extensive
speaking activities OF the commie-
sioner and other members OF the
department before clubs and or
ganizations OF all kinds and the
continuance OF the customary Illus
trated lectures before school classes
proposed inclusion Of Safety
Education" IN all the schools Of the
state IL planned by the commissions
er for submission 10 the state
board Of education and 10 thA yari-
Gus school authorities In all towns.
From the kindergarten TO the sem
Tor class In high school ~ Ieast enc
school period each week should be
devoted 20 safety Education. The
student Of to-day IL the driver Of
tomorrow.
Many traffic surveys Of COM
munities have been MADE by tho
traffic engineering section aud
others arc IN contemplation. A
state wide CWA motor yehlcie sur.
vev has been Instituted ~ ihln bui.
lntIn goes 10 press and much vnlu-
able data on traffic fiows control