The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-16
Campaign On State
 Drivers Opens To-day
Mobilization of Operators For Citizens Volunteer
 Motor Patrol May Lesser Fatalities

will, squealers. In answer to this we have repeatedly said that the individual owes it to his own safety and to the safety of those who are unable to protect them selves, viz children and the aged, to report these violations to us. He may thereby be saving his own life. The person whom he permits to escape censure for reck- less driving may be the same party who the next day runs into him, and takes either his life or maybe the life of a member of his family. Had the reckless party been brought to book, his action might have been curbed and restrained, and an accident possibly been averted.
 Members Not Squealers
 Moreover, it has often been said that an individual who saw the home of his neighbor being entered by a burglar would not hesitate to notify the police, nor would he hesitate to call the fire depart7 ment if he saw his neighbours house aflame. He would not in this re- spect regard himself either as snooper or a squealer, but would, in fact, feel merely that he was do- ing his rightful duty as neighbor and citizen. Reckless and irre- sponsible drivers do infinitely more damage and cause more loss of life than do either burglars or what We are inclined to regard as common variety of murderer. A reckless person at the wheel of a powerful automobile is much more of a menace to the public than either of the aforementioned classes or persons. This is substantiated by the record. For instance. in 1882. 4O2 persons lost their lives as result of automobile accidents. and in 1883, a considerable increase, the number reached 478. Now, during those same two years, the number of homicide were AS and 27, re- spectively.
 q have not the figures before me, but I presume in the state Of Connecticut there are five or SIX thousand police officers armed and adequately equipped to protect you and me from those who might set forth to commit murder. Yet sthe figures above show, there are rel atively few murders in comparison to the great number who, whether wilfully or not, will take the lives of their fellow citizens. Moreover, if for instance AIS people were suddenly afflicted and their lives taken by influenza, dare say that practically a state of martial law would be ordered for Connecticut. The State Guard, if not the U. s Army and Navy, would be called out to protect the citizens of the state from this scourge. Ipresume that the churches schools. factor ies and business places would be closed up until definite measures to curb the menace had been taken. Yet 47S people lose their lives as a result of automobile accidents, and but little is done about 1t. Futile gestures are made. Sporadic drives are undertaken, yet but lit- tie is accomplished. It Is my con- tention that a solution can only be arrived at through the assumption this respect. It is true that cer- tain persons may be falsely charged, yet if the program saved but one life, we would feel that d life saved was of more conse- quence than the hurt feelings of an individual falsely accused. If 1t Is shown that an individual has been falsely charged, the department of motor vehicles will be prompt to apologize.
 Carefulncss Brings Reward
 "We have the records of the drivers of Connecticut in our files. We feel that those who have been free from any offense for period of five years should be rewarded for their carefulness. We propose to give them a card of membership and a designation to be conspicu- ously displayed on their automo- piles so that we may know who the careful and responsible drivers are. We feel also that such a des- ignation will be an incentive tol others to aspire to a similar record. We feel, moreover, that those who are the possessors of this insignia will cherish 1t and that, reluctant to loose it, they themselves will continue to practice the care which has distinguished their driving.
 "A letter addressed to the de- partment of motor vehicles will bring into your possession one of these cards that is. if you are so qualified. We trust that each of you will avail yourself of this opportunity and enroll yourself in this crusade for better driving"