Hitch-hikers and Liability Of Motorists

Chronicle (Levin), 31 January 1948, Page 4

Hitch-hikers and Liability Of Motorists

- Probably more hitch-hikers have been seen in the W aikU.tO during the holidays than at any previqus period, says the Waikato Times. The enterprising pastime of efilQying a cheap travel holiday by hifch.hiking at th.r e^pense qf motorists has developed to sueh fth extent this„ summer that it has drawm. attentiQh ta tlie financial liability of motorists who may have to meet a claim for damages if an accident qocurs to the so-called hitph-hiker while travellipg as. a guest in their cars or trupks. Thb third party rigk autorpaticaily taken out by a mptorist each yeqr when qbtaining his nPW puruber plates does nqt Gqyer injury to pass.engers. It cqyers the mqtQrist in the event oi hi's knocking down a persqp qn the rqad, but qnly 'in regard tq personal injury, For instance, it does not cqver the motorist in regard to damage -to. clothing or to' property suoh as another car. .* ^ Under a eamprehensive insuranoe cover, it-was stated in Hamilton reoently, a motorist eould be covere.d against injury to passengers. Motorists should realise that. the coinpulsory insurance cover known as the third party risk did not affect passengers and that they might be. liable for injury to any passenger, The extent of the liability was gaverned as ta whether the "motorist was negligent or not, There is little of the hiking aspect about this holiday sport. The publishedj acoounts of its suocessful expopents show that they airp at using their legs only so far as a main roqd outside a town in the certain hope that same friendly driver will respond to the appeal of the raised arm. Two young ifien reoently managed a fortnight's motoring hofiday in the Nortli Island -for £6 each, but they were critical about their experience beeause a similar tour of the South Island co'st only £5 each for the fartnight. The only trouhle with hitch-hikipg, said one of them, was that it hgd become too popular and was no longer a

noyelty to passing motorists who did not pull up so readily now. A southern motor association Offioer said that experienced hitchhikers were satisfied that they couid travel to a definite schedule to. a predetermined destination Without. walking more than a mile or two. While he did not wish to depreoate the enterprise of youth, tliis officer warned motorists of the financial liahility if an accident Oiccurred to their guests.