Perhaps Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert said it best when asked to reflect on some of her greatest public wellness and safety concerns as the New Year looms: “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!”

As The Newtown Bee closes out 2022, we do so reflecting on the fact that Connecticut has seen the highest number of pedestrian traffic deaths in 34 years — 71 and counting with a few days left in the year. And while Newtown has thankfully not seen a pedestrian fatality in 2022, the town has seen a continuing escalation of vehicle collisions, both on I-84 and across the many miles of local roads in town.

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.

On the subject of being kinder, we also believe one of the best ways to gain perspective on our own difficulties and challenges is to apply ourselves to helping others. While anyone can certainly find ways to do that in their own households and neighborhoods, Newtown with its diverse population of over 27,000 people could certainly benefit from residents giving more back to the community they call home.

These days, with everyone facing greater financial challenges from the gas pump and grocery store, to credit card bills and utility costs, there is another way you can make a positive difference beyond simply writing a check or clicking on a website and applying yet another credit card charge to your already hefty balances. Consider volunteering.

The recently formed Newtown Nonprofit Council makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities among the agencies and organizations participating, along with its “1,000 Acts of Kindness” initiative.

It doesn’t take hours of committed time each week — although each of our five volunteer fire companies, search and rescue dive team, and volunteer ambulance corps would all love to see more folks who have the time and availability joining their ranks. But to begin making a positive difference, just head for nnc.chboothlibrary.org to learn more, or scroll through our own Newtown Bee Calendar to see what local nonprofits are up to this week and drop in to learn more.

The goodwill and efforts you share with your own two hands, we believe, will certainly be reflected in your own well-being. Further, it will contribute to making the fabric of the Newtown community better, stronger, healthier, and happier in 2023.