2008 Berkshire Penny Saver Police Pages by Hersam Acorn

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William Walsh Chief

Kristopher Balestro

Jonathan Finnerty

Robert Carter

Edward Scarbro Investigator

Victor Zucco

Timothy Kelly

Sam Stolzar

Paul Montgomery

James Bragdon

Richard Congdon

Sean Scarbro

Daniel Bersaw

Joseph O’Brian

Carmelo Guarda

Timothy Roy

Timothy Hassett

Ryan Lucy

Edward Hearn

Jacob Gonska

Richard Keefner

Adam Carlotto

Jennifer Bennett

Duncan Stafford

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

�� 2008 Police Pages

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2008 Police Pages

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

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Safe Driving Down the Highway of Life (MS) - How safe are America’s highways? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 6 million motor vehicle crashes take place in America each and every year, resulting in an injury every 11 seconds - and a motor vehicle fatality every 12 minutes. Establishing and maintaining good driving habits can have a profound impact on whether your vehicle becomes part of the statistics. There are a lot of factors that go into safe driving, particularly age and experience. Now, one of the nation’s leading insurance companies, MetLife Auto & Home, offers a series of materials targeted to help drivers on every stage of the age spectrum. “While it’s impossible to control the habits of other drivers, it is possible to adjust your driving habits to make the time on the road as event-free as possible,” says MetLife Auto & Home �� president Bill Moore. “Every day, our

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Claim Department receives reports of claims that could have been prevented, had the basic principles of defensive driving and driver attentiveness been observed.” Educating people on how to be better, safer drivers can go a long way toward preventing accidents. Here are some important topics to consider that may be affecting your family and household. · Teens behind the wheel: Handing over the keys to the car to a teenager can be an anxiety-inducing experience for parents. The strategy is to educate teens about safe driving and make sure they’ve had plenty of instruction with a seasoned driver prior to driving solo. “Teaching Your Teens to Drive (Without Driving Each Other Crazy!)” can help. The step-by-step guide is designed to help make the teen driving experience as painless as possible. The booklet provides parents and guardians with important guidelines to follow before their teenagers get behind the wheel, and emphasizes the importance that preparation and planning can play in defusing potentially stressful situations.As a complement, MetLife Auto & Home also offers a free DVD entitled

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2008 Police Pages

Thank You. Safe Driving Down the Highway of Life

cont. from page 4

Joseph Buffis Sergeant

William Tierney Philip Skowron

“Young Drivers, the High-Risk Years.” · Course for today’s driving conditions: Even drivers who’ve been behind the wheel for years could use a refresher on important safety tips and information. “In the Drivers Seat: About Driving Safely” offers an important brush-up course for more experienced drivers. The booklet contains information on safe driving basics, including defensive driving tips, the facts on cell phone usage, what to do in the event of a car breakdown or accident, tips on how to avoid collisions with deer and other animals, and information about air bag and antilock brake systems. · Especially William Bartini for seniors: It’s important for

James Loring

Todd Briggs

Adrian Kohlenberger

Craig DeSantis

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drivers of all ages to continually and honestly gauge their ability behind the wheel. There are a variety of factors that may compromise performance behind the wheel. “A Driver’s Life: Assessing Your Driving Skills as You Age” provides essential information for older drivers who want to hold on to the keys of their vehicles for as long as they safely can. The booklet outlines some of the physical effects of aging that could impact driving ability, as well as tips on coping with them in order to remain a safe driver for the long run. “More than 42,600 lives are being lost on America’s roadways each year, and MetLife Auto & Home is dedicated to helping reverse this deadly trend,” said company President Bill Moore. “Driving safely is important at every stage of life, and has a significant impact Jeffrey Roosa on property damaged and lives lost.” The materials are available for free by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE Stephanie Burdick (1-800-638-5433). FP085771

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

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2008 Police Pages

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2008 Police Pages

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We Honor You Stephen O’Brien Chief

Sean Ward

Simple Tips to Help Avoid Deer Collisions

Timothy Sheenan

Brian Contenta

William Fuore

William DeSantis

Gary Lagarce

Caught in the Headlights:

Michael Smith

(MS) - With the deer population increasing across the country, and living space for wildlife on the decline, the number of incidents involving a deer jumping into the path of a car has been steadily on the rise. This is especially true from October through December when male deer activity dramatically increases, resulting in a significant rise in the number of vehicular collisions. A deer can literally come out of nowhere, leaving only seconds to react. Even worse, the collision can result in significant property damage and even life-threatening situations. To stay safe, consider the following:

Paul Duval

Florence Ammedndola

· Watch the clock. Deer are most active from sunset to midnight, and during the hours just before and after sunrise, which are feeding times. · Watch your speed. It’s not just the speed of the animal that plays a factor - it’s the speed of the vehicle. Think about it: if you are driving

William Colvin

cont. on page 11

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We Honor You ��

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2008 Police Pages

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Thank You. ��

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Thank You. Caught in the Headlights:

sible to avoid many collisions.” cont. from page 8

your vehicle at a speed of over 60 miles per hour, you’ll cover the length of a football field in the same time it takes to change a CD.

For additional information on wildlife collisions, MetLife Auto & Home is offering to the public a free new brochure, “Deer Collisions: How to Avoid Becoming a Statistic.” The brochure provides useful information, including other tips on how to avoid a deer collision, and is

· Keep your eyes open. Deer don’t run alone. If you see one, there are likely others nearby. · Don’t swerve. If a deer is suddenly in front of you, sound your horn to frighten it away. Break firmly, but stay in your lane. Serious crashes happen when drivers swerve to avoid a deer, only to hit other vehicles or lose control of their cars. · Wear your seatbelt. Most people injured in deer/car crashes were unbuckled at the time. “Deer are bigger and heavier than people may think,” said Mike Convery, vice president and chief claim officer of MetLife Auto & Home. “Fortunately, by staying alert and reacting appropriately, it’s pos-

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available by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE (1-800-638-5433). FC07A991 Avoid collisions with deer by driving cautiously and keeping watch during peak deer movement hours. ��

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Thank You. ��

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�� We thank you.

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2008 Police Pages

We Salute You ��

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Thank You You’re Great!

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2008 Police Pages

A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication

No Excuses: Be Safe on the Water (MS) - As individuals and families head to the open water to enjoy some warm-weather recreation, it’s important that one piece of safety equipment make the trip as well: a life jacket. Life jackets and life preservers are mandatory items in most states. They can literally be a lifeline for a person who is injured or having trouble staying afloat in the water. In 2006 of the 710 recreational boating fatalities 90 percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets. Therefore, life jackets and other personal flotation devices (PFDs) should always be present and used correctly when in or around the water. New Styles and Innovations Everyone aboard the vessel should be wearing a life jacket that fits him or her snugly. Newer mod-

els of life jackets are more comfortable than ever before. This eliminates complaints from children or adolescents who might think life jackets are too hot, bulky or unattractive to wear. It is extremely important to find life jackets that fit correctly, and ones approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Life jackets often have weight limits that should be heeded, especially for children. A PFD too big or too small for an individual will fail to offer the same level of protection as one designed to protect a person of a particular weight and stature. In regard to styles and innovations, newer life jackets aren’t the bright orange models of years past. Today life jackets come in a range of colors and styles - some especially designed for specific water sports or recreational uses. There are even life jackets that inflate when a person hits the water, greatly reducing bulk, increasing mobility and flexibility.

Robert Nielson

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Richard Wilcox Chief

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Adelheid Teutsch Elizabeth McCormack

Michael Stanton Kimberly Shaw Brian Shaw Paul Petrescu

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Bruce Stringer

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We Salute You

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THANK you from the staff of

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2008 Police Pages