The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-14
Many Drivers Ignore Lights Ayers Dwyer
PAGE FOUR

During the first seven months
 of this year there have been 40
 accidents on one thoroughfare in
 Waterbury because the motoring
 public, according to It. William c.
 Dwyer of the Police Departments
 Automobile Safety School, does
 not understand the use of flashing
 signal lights. In his weekly article
 this week, It. DWyer sets out to
 acquaint the public with the facts
 of the case and the laws pertain
 ing to signal lights of the flash
 ing variety)
 BY IT. WILLIAM c. DIVER
 There seems to be some miSunder- standing among motorists over the correct interpretation of flashing signal lights. Waterbury has several lights of this type in operation at dangerous intersections. Under Sub- section Co of section 394, Connecti- cut motor vehicle laws it reads: When flashing Red or Yellow sig nals shall be used at an intersection, traffic facing Red lens illuminat- ed by rapid intermittent flashes shall stop before entering the inter- section, and the operator of any vehicle who has brought such vehicle to stop in accordance with the provisions of this section, as well as operators of vehicles approach ling the intersection from other di- rections, shall be subject to the pro- visions of the statutes relating to the right of way at intersections. When Yellow lens shall be il- luminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles facing such signal may proceed through the intersection only with caution" ."
 Under the section known as the Rules of the Road, The law says: Upon approaching any traffic sig nal, the operator or driver of any vehicle shall follow the directions as given on the signal"
 Too many drivers pay little or no attention to flashing signals. The above law, unlike many of the motor vehicle laws, is notable because of its breVity and cleaness of lan- guage. Yet police department re- cords show there has been an utter disregard on the part of many driv- CTS to heed the flashing signals. Citing WatertoWn Avenue as an ex- ample, records show that there were total of 40 accidents on this thor oughfare investigated by the police. There has been a total of 57 arrests made for violations of the motor vehicle laws"
 These accidents and arrests took place during the first seven months of this year. When approaching any flashing signal light, remem- Der it is in operation at that par ticular intersection because traffic authorities, both state and local, have decided that it is a danger ous intersection.
 Cooperation
 Superintendent William J. Roach asks the motoring public to CO., operate with the police in their ef- forts to cut down the accident rate by paying strict attention to flash ing signals. Some drivers, when asked why they did not slow up on the yellow flashing light, will lose no time in saving T was on the main street and had the right of way"
 The term main street is not used in the Connecticut motor ve- hicle law book, so far as I can as- certain. However, the word In tersection" and the phrase Right of Way does appear quite fre- quently. It is essential that we know their meaning in connection with flashing signal lights and in all cases where the so-called right of way is involved.
 Intersection" shall mean the area embraced within the prolonga- tion of the lateral curb lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or not one such highway crosses the other.
 Right of Way" as defined under Rules of the Road follows: Each driver or operator of vehicle ap- preaching any intersecting public street or highway shall grant the right of way at such intersection to any vehicle approaching from his right, provided such vehicles are arriving at such intersection at approximately the same time, and provided traffic officers shall have authority to regulate traffic"
 Remember, drivers, when ap- preaching any intersection, wheth- CT or not there is any traffic con- trol present, you are entering a danger zone. Pedestrian traffic is heavy; all drivers should be on the alert not only for cars approach ing them at an angle, but also for careless moves on the part of the person on foot. If the sage who once said T would have every man poor that he might know the value of money" were living today, he would, in all probability say, T would have every automobile driver | haco,oa ir1y,olyaJ In on orcj6o,,