The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-11-11

stake in the game and should be
anxious to protect it.
We have been steadily improving
the safety of our highways by
building safer roads; we have
made our automobiles safer by
improving our traffic regulations
and enforcement through the
adoption of uniform legislation in
many states. Regular inspections
of motor vehicles have been con-
Quoted to eliminate defective
mechanism and have ruled many
thousands of defective cars off the
road. But with all of those highly
desirable activities, the motor We
hicle is still great hazard. While
we have been making our high
ways and our motors safe, we have
not had as good success with our
motorists and pedestrians.
The responsibility is clearly up
to us to assist the city in reducing
traffic accidents whether we drive
a car or not. This means that
every motorist has real duty to
improve his driving, and every
pedestrian just as important a
responsibility to watch his own
safety.
Important Features
It would be impossible in my
limited time to discuss every thing
one might do to help this cause to
success. Let me, then, take up
two important features of automo-
bile accidents. Do you slow down
at intersections? Do you know
how and when to pass another car
or object safely on the highways?
Everyone is, without doubt, say
ing to himself, certainly, know
how to pass another car" But the
fact is that a large number Of
fatal automobile accidents happen
because most drivers do not know
how and when to accomplish this
act.
In 1887, approximately $500 per-
sons were killed in passing acct
dents, and nearly $4,000 were in
jured. At intersections over $500
were killed and nearly 100000 in
jured. These two types OF accl-
dents combined cause a large part
of the total annual fatalities. Sew
eral elements enter into the cause
of such accidents. What are they?
Operating your car at a speed
too fast for existing conditions, is
one. Skidding on wet pavements
another. Cutting in and out OF
traffic lanes is a third. Driving
on the wrong side of the road,
passing on curves or hills, failing
to give proper signals, reckless
driving and forcing other cars off
the roadway, are all contributing
factors to passing accidents.
Rules Quoted
I am going to quote some rules
for safe driving which, if they are
followed, will certainly help the
present situation. Here they are:
ID Consider the rights and
privileges of others. Extend
your courtesy to the highway.
~ Drive your car at a rea-
sonable and proper speed at all
times.
60 Give full and undivided
attention to your driving.
"a Never pass another vehicle
on a hill, curve, bridge, railroad
grade crossing or at any point
where the view is INSTRUCTED.
60 Slow down at crossings,
street intersections, schools and
other dangerous places.
co. Give the correct hand
signal before turning or stopping
or leaving the curb.
% Be extra careful when
passing children or aged or in
firm persons.
go Slow down when APP
preaching pedestrians, - Stop
If in doubt.
(9) Remember that alcohol
and gasoline do not make a
good mixture.
(10) Familiarize yourself with
A6AAAO 4C6AA0vAO4AO ShAAA Nv"
serve them.
Results Achieved
Now let us consider just what
success has been achieved here in
our own city since the organiza-
ton Of the Accident Prevention
Bureau and Investigating Squad
on November 6, 1886. Accidents
have been reduced 20 per cent,
motor vehicle deaths have been
kept at q minimum. Accident In
Surance rates have been reduced
an approximate SO per cent. First.
20 per cent, In 1887, with another
IS per cent following the first
part Of the current year, and O
is per cent reimbursement plan
for safe driving. Last, but not
least, is the distinctive record of
being the only city In the United