The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or FDHS in a press release shows that Florida’s hit and run fatal auto accidents, over the past two years has increased.
In an effort to combat the increase, the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Chiefs of Police Association are partnering together with the intent of decreasing the number of fatal hit and run auto accidents by teaching motorist what their responsibilities are if they become involved in an accident as well as what the consequences are if the leave the scene of an accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Colonel David Brierton, “Hit and run crashes are a growing problem in Florida.” He further said that in 2012 Florida had some 70,000 hit and run accidents, but he is in hopes of this teaching campaign along with the combination of law enforcement partnerships will help meet Florida’s safety goals. To assist drivers in remembering what they must do in case of being involved in a traffic accident, the FDHS created an easy to remember mnemonic and they recommend that drivers use the acronym C.R.A.S.H. to remember what to do.
Call law enforcement.
Remain calm.
Attain vehicle, witness and driver information.
Sketch the scene, showing vehicle crash locations.
Help the injured.
In the same press release, the FDHS also reminded Florida’s public of the laws all motorist are required to follow if they become involved in a traffic accident, which include: Do not leave the scene of the accident, render aid and assistance to injured people and exchange information with other people involved. The press release also reminded people that those who fail to comply can be arrested for a crime. The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident where property was damaged is considered a second degree misdemeanor with a maximum of 60 days in jail and a fine of $500 bucks.
The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident where persons were injured is a third degree felony with a maximum of 5 years in jail and a fine of $5,000 bucks. The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident where a person or persons have died is a first degree felony with a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 bucks. 69,994 was the number of hit and run accidents in Florida for 2012 and between 2011 and 2012 the number of accidents where someone was killed went up from 162 to 168 and, 3 out of 5 of those were pedestrians.
Unfortunately, these numbers prove that Florida’s problem of hit and run traffic accidents are getting worse each year.
