DUTY OF MOTORISTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 15

DUTY OF MOTORISTS

REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS WARNING! BY MAGISTRATE j A warning to motorists as to their duty regarding the reporting of accidents was given by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. The case being heard was one against Edward Spencer Thompson (Mr. D. E. Chrisp), who was charged firstly with negligently driving a motor-cycle and secondly with failing to stop after an accident.

“The duty of motorists with regard to reporting accidents is so clear that it is remarkable that risks are taken,” commented His Worship, who added that such a position could not be overlooked.

Benjamin McPherson said that he was walking along the Gi&borneOpotiki highway. Turning to watch a cyclist, he saw a motor-cycle approaching in the middle of the road. The witness was well off the road when the cyclist came up and the next thing he knew his right ankle was struck by the motor-cycle as he moved to avoid it. A car with brilliant lights was approaching just before the accident and witness said that, in, his opinion, the motor-cyclist had been temporarily blinded by these approaching lights.

Frederick Allan Barrow said that McPherson, when witness passed him on ids cycle, was walking well on his left-hand side of the road. He noticed that Thompson was riding well over on the left-hand side ,of the road and travelling in the same direction as McPherson. Witness heard a crash, and turning around, saw McPherson lying on the side of the road. Thompson was coming back towards the scene of the accident, where McPherson was complaining of a broken leg. He was speaking loud enough for Thompson to hear him.

To Mr. Chrisp, the witness % said that he had heard Thompson offer to help McPherson to his home, Thompson walking some considerable distance down the road with McPherson.

The negligent driving charge was dismissed and, on the charge of failing to report the accident the defendant was convicted and fined £1 10s and costs.