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Show Fall Is Dangerous Driving Period When the leaves turn brown the accident curve turns upward and the nation is now on the eve of the most dangerous driving period of the year, according to Dr. Styles W. Wherry, president of the Utah Motorist association, American Automobile association affiliate for Utah. "It is generally assumed," said Dr. Wherry, "that the greatest number of accidents occur in the summer months, but this assumption assump-tion is not correct. From the annual an-nual low point in February, the accident ac-cident trend starts upward, rising steadily during the height of the touring season. "However, with the ending of the vacation period, there is no reduction in accidents as might reasonably be expected; rather the fatality trend continues upward., reaching a peak in October and continuing at a high level through the remainder of the year. "In relation to volume of travel, as measured by gasoline consumption, consump-tion, early spring and summer actually are the safest times of the year, with fall and winter showing a decidedly worse record. "Safety experts have never completely com-pletely agreed as to what is the principal cause of the rising accident acci-dent trend in autumn, ascribing it to a number of reasons. However, it is generally agreed that the fewer hours of daylight and consequently con-sequently increased night-driving are major contributing factors in this bad record. It is also conceded that fallen leaves on the road constitute con-stitute a skidding hazard unique o the fall months. "Whatever may be the cause, the lesson is obvious : from now until the close of the' year, the motorist must exercise the maximum maxi-mum of caution for this is the time of the year most dangerous to the careless driver." ' o |