After an Accident

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 4, Issue 10, 1 April 1926, Page 55

After an Accident

Duties of Motorist

IV /J ANY motorists arc hazy as to the duties devolving on them when they are concerned in an accident. Their obligations are, however, very clearly defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, and, as failure to fulfil them renders the motorist liable to a fine of £2O, the section is worth quoting. Section 31 of the Act says: (1) Where an accident arising directly or indirectly from the use of a motor vehicle occurs to any person, or to any horse or vehicle in charge of any person, the driver of the motor vehicle shall stop, and, if required, shall give to any constable, or to ary person concerned, his name and address, and also the name and address of the owner, and the registered number and the distinguishing mark or marks of the motor vehicle.

(2) In any such accident involving injury to any person it shall be the duty of the driver of the motor vehicle to render all practicable assistance, and, if the accident has not already been reported to a constable, the driver shall forthwith report the same at the nearest police station. Failure to comply with any obligation imposed by this section makes the offender liable to a fine of £2O. It should be noted that motorists are not required to notify every accident to the nearest police station, but only those involving injury to some person. The police state, however, that it is advisable to report all accidents, whether involving injury or not, as a report made directly after a mishap is the best sort of evidence in any subsequent proceedings.