Once again, The Newtown Bee is asking its readers to be aware of their surroundings and watch for pedestrians as they are driving, especially with the longer hours of darkness making walkers more difficult to see.

It has become additionally relevant in light of the death of Botsford Assistant Chief Peter Blomberg, who was struck by a pickup truck on his way to a Fire Commissioners meeting in October. But he wasn’t the only Connecticut firefighter tragically lost in a pedestrian accident. Shaun Manning, 58, of Portland, a first lieutenant with Portland Fire and Rescue Station 3, was also struck and killed by a pickup truck just last week on December 18 while heading to a town meeting. Manning was set to become Portland’s new first selectman as their current first selectman was moving on to a new position.

Let’s not forget that also last week, Newtown saw another pedestrian death, this one of the four-legged variety, as a 12-year-old golden retriever, Coby, out for a walk with his owner, Maureen Rohmer, was also hit by a car. This driver is still being sought.

While one might think that the canine death is not as serious as the other two unfortunate incidents, one has to think, just what would have happened if Rohmer were just a few feet further in her walk? It would have been her instead of Coby.

All three of those deaths could have been avoided if the drivers had reduced speed and been more aware of their surroundings.

Connecticut as of this writing has had 63 pedestrian deaths this year, second to 2022, which had 72 deaths.

In 2022, The Bee also asked for drivers to be careful of pedestrians, a refrain that is seemingly lost on a motoring public that seems to be driving faster and less responsibly than ever.

In the 2022 editorial, Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert was quoted as saying, “I am astonished at the way people talk and the way they drive. We never know what people are going through — and that is pretty much everybody these days — so be kind. Your smile or kind word WILL make a difference. Be kinder and slow the heck down!”

All anyone needs to do is look back at any weekly police blotter and count the number of rear-end contacts and reports of other more serious crashes, and it becomes instantly clear that both community members and those passing through Newtown are driving too fast and simply not paying the necessary attention to their number one responsibility: safely operating their own vehicles.

While critics may jump at the chance to blame non-residents, or a lack of police presence handling traffic-related enforcement, we as a community can step back and take an honest view of our own responsibilities as operators behind the wheel. We agree with the health director that everyone needs to slow down. If every resident who operates their own vehicles in town even approaches observing posted speed limits — along with traffic signals, stop signs, and other traffic controls — we believe there would be a measurable decline in the number of crashes.

Most importantly, along with lessening the frustrations and minor injuries that result when most crashes occur, a few lives may be saved.

Just a reminder to drivers — it’s not a race. There is no trophy if you save a few seconds on your commute from one place to another. There will be no cheering crowds. That little endorphin rush you’re getting from taking risks may be fun but it’s not always the driver that pays the price when a mistake is made, and the consequences are severe.

Relax, take a breath, and take it easy out there.