TheFlorida Highway Patrol and other agencies are raising awareness about the number of hit and run crashes across the state.
There were more than 92,000 hit and runs in 2015. That’s almost 7,500 more than the previous year.
They want to reduce those numbers through public education.
It’s a felony to leave the scene of a crash that resulted in personal injury or death. It’s also a misdemeanor to leave the scene of a crash that resulted in property damage.
But, Lt. Gregory Bueno with the Florida Highway Patrol said this is also a morality issue.
“We had over 19,000 people injured out of these crashes. Over 180 resulted in death. It’s just unconscionable for someone to leave that scene. Not render aid. Not be accountable,” he said.
21-year-old drivers received the most “leaving the scene” citations over the last three years. Bueno said there needs to be a cultural change through education and setting good examples.
Miami-Dade County came in first for both hit and run crashes and fatalities in 2015. Lee and Hillsborough Counties are also in the top 10 for both categories.
Click hereto see active hit and run cases in Southwest Florida.
