ROAD ACCIDENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17810, 9 July 1923, Page 8

ROAD ACCIDENTS.

QUESTION OF SUBSEQUENT ACTION A LEGAL OPINION. Matters of 'importance to motoriste wore discussed at a recent meeting or the New Zealand Automobile Association held at Wellington. In connexion with correspondence from Wellington regarding tho theft of oars, it was decided to enquire from the Minister of Justice if an amendment to the Police Offences Act, dealing 3 with these rapidly increasing offences, was in the course of preparation, and if so, to try and have tue UiU put before the union beiore it was submitted to Parliament. In reply to tue secretary's letter with regard to pedestrian tram "keep-to-me-leit oy-iaw, tlie i\ow Zealand oounues Association wrote stating mat the mater Haa been considered by the Executive Committee ot the JNew Zealand counties' Association, when it was resolved that it be referred to the Jdunicipai Association of New Zealand, and if it approves of the proposal the New Zealand Counties' Association will be pleased to tall into line. llegarding the delay whioh often occurs before a claim for damages is made against a motorist, following an accident or a collision, the Hawkes Bay Association wrote asking the union to give effect to the suggestion that "there shall be no right of action against any person unless notice of action is given to the police within seven days front the date of such accident." The effect of the proposal, according to legal opinion received on the point, was to deprive any oerson who had a right of action unless he reported the matter to the police. It was quite conceivable that difficulty would arise by reason of the proposal giving to motorists an immunity from a claim for damages (unless the action was reported as proposed). An advantage would be given to motorists, which would not be enjoyed by a plaintiff in any other form of action. The proposed legislation was so very drastic and would, have such an extensive effect upon the present rights of plaintiffs that it: was hardly likely there was any possibility of such legislation being enacted. It might be that an amendment qould be successfully introduced into the Police Offences Acs making it compulsory for a person who claimed to be injuriously affected by a street accident to report the same within a specified time, to the police; wihout any reference being made to the effect of a right of acton in the event of such accident not being reported. This certainly would not be a method of carrying out the Hawke's Bay Association's proposal in its entirety, uut it would obviously help in the direction aimed at.