Editor:

Re: Devastation left by those who hit, then run, July 12.

Thank you for finally readdressing this issue, Peace Arch News. It was about time.

In an earlier article it was explained that when a person is involved in a serious accident which they have caused, the “primal” reaction is to run. Even so, there seem to be a percentage of our population who are basically amoral.

I think I know the complications of the law, whereby the driver is responsible and not the owner. However, the only case where I can think of which the owner would be clearly not involved is if the car is stolen.

If the registered owner was not the driver at the time of the accident, then it had to be someone known to the owner – i.e. a friend of member of the family – and the onus should be on the registered owner to provide any information regarding the driver of the vehicle.

I can’t understand people protecting someone who is involved in such a crime, even if they are related. Even if no one else knows about it, the family would be tortured forever.

One good thing that we can count on in this world is that there is redemption. I think the public should be allowed more information in these cases. Often the truth never comes out.

I believe that in some cases, the owner could be sued in court but I am not sure. I just think that if the law allows the registered owner this much leeway, there is something terribly wrong with the judicial system.

I remember the first time I heard of such of such a thing. I thought to myself, this is what they call a travesty.

D. Barros, White Rock

Crime and punishment

My blood boils when I hear about hit and runs. Those that do this type of behaviour are the lowest form of life on the planet – scumbags of the first order.

Not taking responsibility for your actions for almost anything seems to be the culture of Canada these days, and this is one of the worst. It matters, of course, the reason why the hit happened, but the run is the problem.

When that “runner” is caught – and they will be by our dedicated police forces – they should be sent away for at least 10 years, with no rights afforded them at all. After all, what rights do the dead and maimed now have?

The pathetically weak, spineless judicial system needs to wake up and start putting the message out there that this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable to our society. MPs and MLAs, are you listening?

Come on, the rest of us. Make your voices heard. Stop this growing problem in its tracks.

Ivan Scott, Surrey