Madison County Democrat

Auto Theft Was Major Violation On County Roads

Despite unusually heavy traffic, Madison County's highways were without a single reported accident over the week end, and law enforcement officers credit the unseasonably mild weather with the safe driving.

Officers said the highways were crowded all day Saturday and Sunday, but few were driving at unsafe speeds. And in all the traffic not a single arrest was made for drunken driving.

Officers noted that the heavy traffic was caused, they assumed, from so many people trying to get out for a pleasant afternoon of sightseeing during the colorful autumn weather. The attitude of most drivers, they said, was just to keep moving at a safe speed without the usual rush for the front of the line.

Another factor which officers pointed out as being a contribution to the accident free week-end was the fact that there were no crowds converging on Columbus for the football game. (State played at Illinois). Officers expect heavier traffic this week when the Bucks play at home.

In discussing the comparative safe driving habits of the residents of the county, and drivers in the county, officers pointed out that there have been 8 fatalities this year. All of them were on roads outside the cities and villages.

The major infraction of laws was the theft of a 1951 Oldsmobile from in front of the Grange Hall in West Jefferson. The theft was reported to officers by Raymond Shipley, owner. He described the car as two tone green and said the license number was Z-1127. It was taken between 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.