MOTOR ACCIDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23097, 23 July 1938, Page 11

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

STATEMENTS WITHHELD POLICE ACTION INDICATED INSURANCE COMPANY CIRCULAR [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday An indication that the police intend to take action if insurance companies continued to instruct clients not to make statements to the police in motoring accident cases was given by Sub-Inspector W. E. Packer in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, when a charge of failing to give way to a vehicle approaching from the right wa3 heard against a motorist. "I refused to make a statement to the police on account of a circular letter from an insurance company," said tho defendant. "1 shall make a note of that," said the magistrate, Mr. E. C. Levvey, who added that the defendant apparently did not understand the position, but l that tho police might wish to act furJ thcr in the matter as far as insurance I companies were concerned. The magis- ! Irate referred to the reserved decision given by Mr. R. Fcrner, S.M., in which it was held that a car owner was bound to divulge the name of the driver of his car. "This whole question was thrashed out before Mr. Ferner," he said. In reply t,o a question as to whether the instructions from the insurance company referred only to statements admitting liability, the defendant said . that the circular contained a list of "do nots," and he had refused to make a statement, although he had given the i>olicc all the information. "It is an interesting document." said Sub-Inspector Packer, "and if this obstruction continues we shall have to take some action." . "We shall soon handle that," said the magistrate, stating that the question ■ had been settled by the Court before.