The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-08-24

| NtW bIlIdul IS O ClCy Ol dDOuU io,ltS as compared to Torrington's esti- mated population of 28,348. New Britain was the residence of 17027 motor vehicle operators as of Jan uary 18th; whereas Torrington's operators numbered 7,884 New Bri- tain was credited with nearly 14,000 motor vehicle registrations as of January 18th, compared with 6,800 for Torrington. As actual traffic counts of the vehicular burden car ried by the streets of the respective cities are not available, the above comparisons seem to award premier honors to New Britain for the most substantial improvement in traffic accident prevention during the first six months of 1899 as compared with the same period of 1888. In placing New Britain first in accomplishment, there is no dispoSi- tion to subtract one iota from the splendid record achieved by Torring- ton, particularly in matching its 1888 performance, during the first six months, of keeping its traffic 1aCallCy record ScOfeleSS.
 Because of the difference in popu- lation, registration and operator to- l tals, Torrington cannot be compared with New Britain, which is classi- fled with five other communities in the 50000 population and up group. Torrington is classed with eight other cities and towns in the 20,- 000-30,000 group.
 TOrrington Reports No Fatalities Torrington, however, is the largest community in the state to be cred- ited with no fatalities during the first six months of either 1888 or 1889. With population approaching 30,000, which means considerable To- cal traffic throughout the business day, serving as trade center for a considerable area of Litchfield coun- | ty and being an important route junction for motor vehicle traffic moving in and through the north western part of the state, traffic haz- ards exist in Torrington in greater degree than would ba estimated on mere population basis. It is, there fore, to the credit of Torrington that no fatalities of any type have de- veloped in that city during the first six months of 1889, duplicating its record for 1888.
 In addition, Torrington is the largest Connecticut city to be credit ed with no resident operators in volved in fatal accidents during the first six months of 1889 or 1888. AnSonia and Nausatuck were the only other places in the "congested | area groul so reporting. Meriden was the largest city to report no resident operators so involved. Out of the thirty three communities in the group of densely populated cities and towns, only nine escaped resi- dent operators involved in fatal ac- cidentS.
 Only ten cities reported reductions in traffic accidents this year, with two marked mo change" Hartford and Bridgeport were among this group reporting lower totals for 1939, as were New Britain and | Stamford.
 Eleven cities of the thirty-three in the "congested area" group re- ported lower personally injury totals with three marked mo change" Stamford was the only one of the "big six" group--including Hartford, New Haven. Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Britain and Stamford-to show an increase in injuries.
 Eleven of the large communities including New Haven, Waterbury, New Britain and Stamford-report- ed decreased traffic fatality totals. Ten others were marked mo change"
 Four Cities Report No Fatalities
 Torrington, Derby, Shelton and Winchester tWinsted) were the only large Connecticut cities to report "clean slates' as regards fatal ac- cidents for the first si xmonthS of