Hit-andRun Crashes on the Rise

More than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads. In 2016, these crashes killed more than 2,000 people -- the highest number on record and a 60 percent increase since 2009. With this alarming trend, AAA is reminding drivers to know the law and remain alert to avoid a deadly crash.

It is also important to know what you need to do if you are involved in a crash. For instance, all 50 states have laws that make it illegal to flee the scene. If found guilty, drivers who leave the scene of a crash can face large fines, lose their license or spend time in prison, depending on the severity of the crash.

If you are involved in an automobile crash, you should:

• Assist the injured -- Check for injured people and call 911.
• Be visible -- Make sure that the scene is visible to approaching drivers. If possible, move vehicles out of the path of traffic, and use hazard flashers, flares, and reflective triangles. Find a safe place to remain until emergency services arrive.
• Communicate -- Call the police and file a report. If the police do not come to the scene, you can file a report by visiting a local police department or your automobile insurance agency.

Hit-and-run deaths in the United States have increased an average of 7.2 percent annually since 2009, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Nearly 65 percent of people killed by hit-and-run drivers are pedestrians or cyclists.

Drivers should stay alert, especially in areas with many children, because pedestrians may act unpredictably and can walk into a car’s path at any time. Drivers should always yield to pedestrians, even if they walk into the road from an area other than a crosswalk.

“Hit-and-run crashes in the United States are trending in the wrong direction,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Our analysis shows that hit-and-run crashes are a growing traffic safety challenge and the AAA Foundation would like to work with all stakeholders to help curtail this problem.”