This month is Hit and Run Awareness Month, and the Florida Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to stay at the scene after a crash. FHP Lt. Pat Riordan says it’s not only the law, it could help save a life.
“And, it’s important for people to recognize that if they do the right thing from the get go and they stay at the scene, they call law enforcement,” he said. “You know, generally, law enforcement is going to be there quickly, but in the meantime, citizens can take and render aid to anybody that’s been injured.”
Last year, there were more than 99,000 hit and run crashes in Florida. That’s a huge spike from the year before, which had around 92,000.
“You know, that’s a lot of crashes, where people have not done the right thing,” Riordan added. “You know, the interesting thing is about 84 percent of hit and run crashes are property damage, like striking a mailbox, an unattended car, a fence, and it’s as simple as recognizing the law requires you remain at the scene until law enforcement is notified.”
While motorists who leave after causing property damage will face misdemeanor charges, drivers who leave the scene of a deadly crash will face felony charges. In 2016, 179 resulted in fatalities.
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