Florida – Wednesday February 1, 2023:
February is Hit-and-Run Awareness Month in Florida, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are main the state’s “Stay at the Scene” marketing campaign to forestall these crashes, scale back fatalities and accidents, and produce justice to households impacted by these crimes.
FLHSMV’s data analysis exhibits a constructive enchancment from final yr, however yearly hit-and-run totals in Florida underscore a disturbing pattern.
In 2022, the whole variety of hit-and-run crashes throughout the state decreased by 5% in contrast to 2021. In that very same comparability, fatalities from hit-and-runs had been down by 13%, and severe bodily accidents from hit-and-runs had been down 15%.
However, in Florida over the previous 5 years, there have been 515,957 hit-and-run crashes that resulted in 1,251 fatalities. That, on common, is 103,191 hit-and-run crashes leading to 250 deaths per yr in the state. Florida recorded 104,895 hit-and-run crashes and 266 fatalities final yr.
Fatalities in hit-and-runs, due to low-light circumstances, decreased in 2022 from the earlier yr. Total crashes and people at daybreak, nightfall, or nighttime noticed a slight downtick. Despite that discount, hit-and-run crashes nonetheless primarily happen at evening or throughout dimly lit time durations, and account for 80% of all hit-and-run crashes. Sadly, 84% of hit-and-runs in low-light circumstances contain a fatality.
Additionally, 144 of the hit-and-run fatalities in 2022 had been pedestrians and 50 had been bicyclists, totaling 73% of hit-and-run fatalities final yr. While general hit-and-run fatalities had been down in contrast to 2021, the proportion of bicyclists and pedestrians who died in hit-and-run crashes rose by 3%.
“Florida has been experiencing far too many hit-and-run tragedies for far too long, and this needs to change,” FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner stated. “Drivers who flee the scene of a crash are law breakers and displaying disregard towards other people’s lives and property. Fleeing the scene of a crash will cause severe, lifelong penalties, and law enforcement – including our State Troopers – will track down those offenders to make sure they are held accountable under the law.”
HIT-AND-RUN PENALTIES
Under Florida regulation, a driver should cease instantly at the scene of a crash on public or non-public property that ends in property harm, harm, or loss of life:
- If the crash entails property harm, leaving the scene is classed as a second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties up to 60 days in jail and a $500 high-quality.
- Leaving the scene of a crash with accidents is a second- or third-degree felony and a driver, when convicted, may have their driver license revoked for a minimum of three years and could be sentenced up to 5 years in jail and incur a $5,000 high-quality.
- Drivers who go away the scene of a crash with a fatality face a first-degree felony with a obligatory minimal of 4 years in jail, they usually could possibly be sentenced up to 30 years and incur a $10,000 high-quality.
Of Florida’s 104,895 hit-and-run crashes final yr, 86,799 concerned property harm solely, comparable to a parked automobile with nobody inside, mailbox, fence, or panorama/backyard. If concerned in a crash involving property harm, you will need to keep at the scene and try to find or contact the property proprietor. If you can’t find the property proprietor, the driver answerable for the crash ought to go away contact and insurance coverage information in an identifiable location.
In the case of property harm solely, the driver and crash sufferer – as soon as contact has been made between them – can self-file a crash report with FLHSMV, after which don’t want regulation enforcement to file a crash report.
“Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is a crime, even when you are scared. You must stop immediately at the scene of a crash which results in property damage, injury, or death,” stated Florida Highway Patrol Director, Colonel Gene S. Spaulding. “If you happen to witness a hit-and-run crash, I urge you to dial *FHP (*347) or contact your local law enforcement to report what you witnessed. Together, we can make a difference in solving hit-and-run crashes.”
Even a small tip can assist clear up a hit-and-run case. If you might have information on a hit-and-run crash, you’ll be able to report it by calling *FHP (*347) or report it anonymously to Florida Crime Stoppers by calling **TIPS (**8477) or via the Florida Crime Stoppers smartphone cellphone app, obtainable free in the Apple and Google Play shops.
President of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers and Executive Director of Manatee County Crime Stoppers Frank Brunner stated, “The Florida Association of Crime Stoppers is committed to making Florida a safer place by assisting law enforcement in the gathering of critical information regarding criminal activity such as hit-and-run cases. Through our statewide number, **TIPS (**8477), and our Florida Crime Stoppers smartphone app, any member of the public can easily and anonymously report a crime and could be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.”
“Safety is our top priority at the Florida Department of Transportation as we strive to provide diverse, safe, and accessible transportation options throughout the state. Whether behind the wheel, on wheels, or walking, safety is essential on and near roadways,” stated Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDOT works hand-in-hand with local communities, partners, and law enforcement, as it’s important that safety is an inclusive community effort. We aspire to have zero fatalities on Florida’s roadways, so if an incident does happen, stay at the scene and contact the authorities. Together, we can make a difference.”
“The Florida Police Chiefs Association stand with our public safety partners to remind motorists to ‘Stay at the Scene’ if you’re involved in a collision,” said Fellsmere Police Department Chief Keith Touchberry, President of the Florida Chiefs Association. “Don’t make the situation worse for yourself with a poor decision to intentionally leave the scene of the collision. Please, stay at the scene, and save yourself a whole lot of trouble.”
“It is important to stay at the scene if you are involved in a traffic crash,” said Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “Hit-and-run crashes are against the law, and often lead to criminal penalties. They also hamper law enforcement and drain resources because of prolonged investigations. On behalf of all Florida sheriffs, I fully support the ‘Stay at the Scene Campaign’ for everyone’s benefit.”
“Leaving the scene of a crash risks the lives of others and jeopardizes your freedom,” said Michele Harris, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Do the right thing. Be alert on the road and if you are involved in a crash, remain safely on scene and call for help.”
For more information on the “Stay at the Scene” campaign, including data, downloadable materials, and additional resources, visit FLHSMV’s Hit-and-Run Awareness webpage, www.flhsmv.gov/StayAtTheScene.