The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its public safety partners have launched a hit and run awareness campaign.
According to the organization, despite ongoing efforts, many key statistics have remained constant over the years. The latest initiative encourages drivers involved in traffic crashes to remain on the scene.
“You may not intend to be involved in a collision, but when someone leaves the scene of a crash, it immediately turns their actions from unintentional to criminal,” said Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze II.
“As law enforcement, we are dedicated to hunting down hit-and-run drivers and holding individuals accountable for jeopardizing the safety of others. It’s simple: Stay at the scene if you are involved in a crash.”
Of Florida’s 97,519 hit-and-run crashes last year, 81,205 involved property damage only, such as a parked car with no one inside, a mailbox, fence, or landscape/garden.
The FLHSMV is reminding drivers if you are involved in a crash involving property damage, you must stay at the scene and attempt to locate or contact the property owner. If you cannot find the property owner, the driver responsible for the crash should leave contact and insurance information in an identifiable location.
