The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-09

Waterbury had 28 per cent fewer automobile accidents in March of this year than in the same month last year, according to the monthly report of the police accident preven- tion bureau. There were 69 accidents last month, as compared with 95 in March of last year.
 Figures for the first three months of the year show total of 213 ac- cidents, or 61 less than in the first quarter of 1897. This is a. reduction of q per cent.
 Of last months 69 accidents, there were 9 involving personal in- juries and AT involving property damage. Of the personal injury &C., cidents there were 12 in which pe- destrians were involved.
 One Fatality
 The police report only one fatality during the first quarter of this year, as compared with four in the same period in 1897. There were no fatal accidents last month.
 Police Superintendent William J. Roach today issued the following statement in regard to Safety Week:
 To-day marks the close of Safety Week, the week set aside by Cover nor Cross in his proclamation of March 18th. This week was to be specifically used for the discussion of safety in the schools, clubs and various other places of meeting. The highway safety commission, with the cooperation of many agencies actively interested in highway safe- ty, called conference at Yale Uni versity on Monday, April 4th and here each and every phase of engi- neering, education and enforcement was thoroughly discussed.
 "The purpose of setting aside this week for safety was mainly to try to alleviate the complex traffic situa- ton. We, here in the city of Water bury, must not just bear in mind safety for this week alone; or for just month but day after day, year in and year out we should try to keep in mind for our own pres ervation Safety in our homes and Safety on our streets and highways. Ws all know that most highway fatalities are due to fast and care lesg driving. We all know also that speed must be controlled. You know this fact and I know this fact yet; you, the driver will still drive faster and faster"
 Does Speed Save?
 "Why not ask yourself these ques- tiSns? How much time am going to save by excessive speed? How much is this time worth to me? It is of no value if you are killed or are the fault of someone else being killed. Remember 32.6 percent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by speed. Fifteen percent of fatali- ties are caused also by driving on the wrong side of hte road. What causes this? Speed and lack of consideration of others. 13.9 percent of fatalities caused by failing to grant right of way. Why? Because most drivers are in too great a hurry to give the other fellow his rights"
 "Remmeber; give the other fel- low the right of way when ever there is any doubt or danger be- cause he may intend to take it any, way. The remaining two-fifths of all highway fatalities happen to and are almost entirely the fault of pedestrians. The first fault is crossing between intersections or against traffic signals. The first warning against this is: Don't do it!" The second is Discourage others!" One-sixth of pedestrian accidents were caused by walking on rural highways. If you must walk on the highways be sure to take the left side of the road facing traffic."
 Another Mistake
 "The next grave mistake of the