Did you know that more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roadways, according to 2018 research from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Hit-and-run crashes in the United States are at an all-time high. In 2016, hit-and-run crashes resulted in 2,049 deaths, the highest number on record since 2009, according to a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study.
A hit-and-run collision can be defined as a crash in which at least one person involved flees the scene before offering sufficient information, aid to the other person(s) involved or fails to properly report the crash. Each state has its own laws which make it illegal for a driver involved in an accident to flee the scene. These penalties can range from a fine to jail time based on the type of injury or severity.
The AAA study also found that nearly 65% of hit-and-run fatalities involved a pedestrian or cyclist. Pedestrians account for the majority of deaths in hit and run crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NFTSA) discovered that over the past ten years, nearly 20% of all pedestrian deaths were caused by hit-and-run crashes.
As, hit-and-run crashes are trending in the wrong direction, drivers must:
- Be aware of their surrounding
- Yield to crossing pedestrians, even if they’re not in a crosswalk
- Give plenty of space when passing a pedestrian or cyclist
It is a driver’s responsibility to take the necessary precautions to avoid hitting a pedestrian, cyclist or other vehicle. Be alert, be aware and if you are involved in an accident or crash, stay on the scene.
