The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-12-16
HIT-RUN DRIVER
SERIOUS Menace
Plan Organized Campaign
to Stop Lawlessness.

ION its own behalf and on behalf of
the S42 clubs affiliated with it
throughout the country, the Ameri-
can Automobile association has broad
cast a 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 Iawlessness 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
fcult 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 Presf-
dent Henry, Sin which. members of
the A. A. A., motorists generally, and
other agencies can give invaluable as
sistance in removing this blot on mo-
tordom.
First Apprehend Driver.
The first, succinctly, is to actually
apprehend the hit-and-run driver or
at least to give chase SO that his
license number can be made available
Immediately to the police. 1t often
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, / am
sure, will be more than willing to
do their share in this respect. Such
a movement already has been start
ed 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. It
is the reduction of this hysterical
practice by educating all drivers to
the utter, hopeless stupidity of it. Mo-
tor clubs and all other agencies should
take part in such an educational cam
paign.
Is Pathetic Figure.
"The hit-and-run driver, from
psychological perspective, in many
cases, is a 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.
s'He is the victim Of a human
temptation, one that besets all of us
Ito flee 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-
cident Guilty or not guilty of care
Iessness, 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
layed.
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. It is time such
emotionally unstable persons were
taught the great folly of their ac-
| lions.
Ii Motor clubs can take the lead In
this vital educational movement. It
is one in which other agencies will
cooperate heartily. Primarily it
seems the task Of organized autom9-
bile ownership for the practice is one
chat is leaving an indelible scar on
the face Of motordom.
Il am confident that remarkable re-
suits will be achieved once the a.
A. A. local clubs set their shoulders
H. -.