HIT-AND-RUN CASES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 9

HIT-AND-RUN CASES

A SYDNEY PROBLEM

SPECIAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, July 27. The Syfiney police: are concerned at the increase of "hit-run" motor accidents, in which the drivers responsible for knocking down pedestrians leave their victims on the road and elude police searchers. Now one of the major features of the terrific general problem of traffic control and regulation, the "hit-run" driver is to be the quarry, not only of police, but also of all motorists' organisations. The general public's aid is also being enlisted to bring this class of offenders to book. , : La.st week there were eight "hit-run" accidents in the metropolitan area, and two of the victims died from their injuries. The police believe that the majority of these .criminal drivers are either using stolen cars or are drunk, and thus have a double reason for driving on after pedestrians are knocked down. Special squads of detectives have been assigned to the inquiries into last week's eight accidents. The entire squad of motor detectives is assisting them, as well as special men detailed for duty from suburban'stations. A house-to-house canvass is being conducted, -and the police feel confident that they will be able to trace at least some of the callous drivers concerned. Rewards of £100 have been offered for information leading to the detection of the drivers involved .in the two fatal accidents. Because of the danger of the roads, it has been suggested that a large squad of mobile police should be added to the patrols, in an effort to catch "hit-and-run" drivers. The Police Department has recommended special provision of wireless cars for this work, A so that these could quickly be summoned to an area in which a "hit* nnd-run" accident has occurred and a cordon quickly provided. The police hold the view that most of the "hit-and-run" offenders are persons illegally using cars. They are urging the Government to amend the law to provide for more severe punishment for this class of offender. Many car thieves hire private lock-up garages, and the police are agitating for legislation compelling owners of such garages to inform the police immediately one is rented.

Many members of the British Colony, English Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides of Paris were present at the recent prizegiving and speech day of the Paris British School. Prebendary Anslrulhcr Cardew, the chairman of the board of governors, congratulated the scholars on the high percentage of successes at the recent British Chamber of Commerce- (Paris) examinations, and expressed the hope that one day the British Government would give support to this century-old institution.