The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-12-17
HIT run DRIVER
SERIOUS MENACE
Plan Organized Campaign
to Stop Lawlessness.

On It's own Denald ana on DeHdiI OF
the S42 clubs affiliated with it
throughout the country, the Ameri-
can Automobile association has broad
cast strong appeal urging relentless
warfare on the ''hit-and-run" drivers
everywhere.
The appeal, which went out under
the name of Thomas P. Henry, pres
ident of the A. A. A., was based on
reports which show that this particu-
lar brand of lawlessness and coward
ice has not received in the past the at
tention which it deserves. Hence
the need of an organized campaign
by the motorists generally to do away
with this species of driver.
Mr.. Henry's statement pointed out
the fact that in some cases it is diff
ficult to get at the hit-and-run driver
is all the more reason why he should
be dealt with in exemplary fashion
once the law gets hold of him.
.There are two ways" said Presi-
dent Henry. "in which members of
the A. A. A., motorists generally, and
other agencies can give invaluable as
assistance in removing this blot on mo-
gdom.
AsFirst Apprehend Driver.
first, succinctly, is to actually
hend the hit-and-run driver or
at least to give chase so that his
license number can be made available
Immediately to the police. It often
4 happens that motorists who have an
opportunity to perform this public
service are more interested in seeing
what has happened to the victim of
the accident than they are in cap
turing the person directly responsible
for it.
"Club members and others, l am
Ire, will be more than willing to
their share in this respect. Such
movement already has been start
by many clubs affiliated with the
american Automobile association.
"The second way is more complex
and seems to require more than the
cooperation merely Of motorists. 1t
lis the reduction of this hysterical
practice by educating all drivers to
the utter, hopeless stupidity Of 1t. Mo-
,tor clubs and all other agencies should
take part in such an educational cam
Ipaign.
Is Pathetic Figure.
"The hit-and-run driver. from a
psychological perspective. in many
cases, is pathetic figure. He is the
victim of the worst of all human
,emotions-fear. His action undoubt-
eddy makes him criminal where his
ordinary impulse might be toward
the very best in our civilization.
HE is the victim of a human
temptation. one that besets allNef us
Ito fee from trouble. Fortunately,
most of us are capable of resisting
the temptation.
"A concerted campaign, believe,
could do much to show the hopeless
futility of running away after an ac-
cldent. Guilty or not guilty of care
lessness, negligence or infraction of
the traffic laws, the minute the driver
who figures in an accident fees,
the burden of proof Of his innocence
rests with him and he puts himself
In the worst possible position before
the law. There is tremendous as
sumption of guilt that cannot be al
iayed.
Convict Themselves.
innocent. in great many cases,
drivers go on daily convicting them
selves by not having the courage to
face the difficulty into which they
have been thrown. 1t is time such
emotionally unstable persons were
taught the great folly of their ac-
tons.
Motor clubs can take the lead in
this vital educational movement. 1t
Ms one in which other agencies will
cooperate heartily. Primarily it
the task of organized automo-
nership for the practice is one
leaving an indelible scar on
e<of motordom.
b confident that remarkable re-
will be achieved once the A.
local clubs set their shoulders
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