GIVING A LIFT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 February 1926, Page 16

GIVING A LIFT.

A DRIVER’S LIABILITY

THIRD PARTY RISK. Third party risk was the subject of an enquiry which was made by a Lyttelton 'motorist of the Canterbury Automobile Association in a letter which was dealt with at a recent meeting of that council, reports the Christchurch Press.

The writer stated that he frequently gave friends a lift in his motor-car, and had been informed that by so doing lie was liable for damages if, through his default, any of them received injury. He asked if it would be legal or advisable to have some forms printed stipulating that he would accept no liability and get his friends to sign them before taking them on his car. "Otherwise," the writer said, "I’m afraid some of my friends will get a. disappointment." ’(’lie secretary reported that lie had brought the matter under the notice of tin* association’s solicitor (Mr. F. W. Johnston), whose opinion was as follows:—"Persons carried in a car have a right of action against the driver for loss sustained through the driver’s negligence. The third party risk does not cover passengers unless specially provided for, and an extra premium paid. An indemnity similar to that given by railway passengers carried in the guard’s van of a freight train would meet the case." The secretary added that he had written stating that the position was decidedly unfortunate so far as one’s friends wore concerned, but at the same time the fact remained that, according to law, a driver was liable, and that by giving them a lift he was taking a risk.