The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-02

An appeal for special care in driving and walking on the streets and highways of Connecticut from now until the end of the year was made today by Governor Wilbur l.. Cross in statement in "Connecti- cut Safety" publication of the Highway Safety Commission.
 October, November and Decem- ber", says the governors statement, have been the worst months of the year for automobile accidents. Past records show that during this quar- ter, more persons are killed by motor cars than during any other three months period.
 Purpose
 "It was with this in mind that last year, under the auspices of the highway safety commission, and with the generous assistance of the radio stations, newspapers, schools and churches of Connecticut, a campaign was launched to cut down the toll of deaths during this dan- gerouS time of year. On October F, 1897, together with the chief justice of the supreme court of errors, the commissioner of motor vehicles and the commissioner of state police, I inaugurated this campaign with a radio talk to the citizens of the state. This was followed by broad casts by other persons, so that in all, sixty or more men and women helped deliver these timely appeals. Apparently the people listened and needed, for during the period of the campaign, there were twenty eight fewer deaths on Connecticut high ways than there had been in the corresponding period of the previous year.
 "It seems inadvisable to repeat this particular method of reaching the public this year, yet the problem is as acute as ever, so I am taking this opportunity to make a further appeal for especial care in driving during October, November and De- cember.
 The Dangers of Early Dusk
 "The early dusk and the return to standard time bring on to the streets and highways. just after dark, from factories, offices, stores, schools, theaters and other places of business and pleasure, a great number of people who have been, until now, coming out and returning home by daylight. It takes time for all these people, drivers and pe- destrians, to adjust themselves to these new conditions, and so many are injured and some are killed.
 "The records of the motor vehicle department show that of the 39l fatal accidents in 1887, 123, or al- most one-third, occurred in the last quarter of the year, and that 272, or almost seventy per cent of the fa- talities during the year happened in the hours of dusk and dark ness
 Mot only is there danger during the early twilight, but fallen leaves and possible Sleet and slippery pavements add to the hazards of the autumn, and therefore particu- lar care is necessary in driving and walking at this time. After a while, apparently, the faculties of the peo- pie become adjusted to travelling in the dark and to exercising greater care for, in the months of January and February. there is usually a con- siderable lessening of the number of accidents and deaths.
 Pedestrian Fatalities
 "Among the injured and killed during the fall of the year, pedes- trians greatly predominate. Of the fatal accidents last year, 230 were pedestrians, and eighty-three of these were killed during the last quarter of the year.
 T, therefore, urge upon all the citizens of this state, when driving and walking upon the streets and highways, to do 80 with caution, in order to avoid accidents to them selves and to others.
 Tn opening the campaign of last year, I cited records which showed