THAT GOOD TURN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3551, 16 October 1926, Page 1

THAT GOOD TURN.

“GIVE US A LIFT, BOSS.” W|HAT SHOULD MOTORISTS DO?

If a motorist gives a person a ride in his car, he is liable for claims on account of injuries received by that person should the car and its occupants be involved, in an accident.

At the meeting of the executive of the Wanganui Automobile Association recently, Dr. E. E. Porritt said that the existing law was a dampener to the Good Samaritan spirit; it encouraged motorists to adopt an un-Christianlike attitude to wayfarers along the road.

Mr. Gregor McGregor: It doesn’t seem right that a motorist who gives a man a lift, just to oblige, should become liable if there happens to be an accident.

Another member said that it did not seem possible that a person would turn round and sue a man who had done him a good turn by giving him a lift. Mr. N. R. Bain (chairman) said the association could do nothing in the matter. The law could not be altered.

Mr. A. Robinson: “If I take a man behind me on a horse and he get hurt, am I liable

Mr. Bain said that certainly he was.

A member cited a case where a man had been injured in an accident while he was being given a ride in a publican’s car, Ilis face was marked for life as a result of his injuries. He did not sue the publican for damages but walked into the hotel and had a free meal .whenever he wanted it and the licensee had to look on, helpless. The discussion lapsed.