The Florida Highway Patrol recorded more than 6,000 crashes in Escambia County last year, and almost a quarter of them were hit-and-runs.
Drivers leaving the scene of crashes – particularly those involving property damage, injury or death – is an ongoing problem locally and across Florida. Statewide, there were more than 104,000 hit-and-run incidents last, with 271 resulting in fatalities and 871 resulting in serious bodily injuries.
The FHP is hoping to start putting the brakes on the problem through a new “Stay at the Scene” awareness campaign.
“Florida has been experiencing far too many hit-and-run tragedies for far too long, and this needs to change,” said Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “Drivers who flee the scene of a crash are law breakers and displaying disregard towards other people’s lives and property.”
The Florida Highway Patrol’s hit-and-run awareness campaign lasts throughout February and is an attempt to inform motorists to remain at the scene of any crash and reduce the number of hit-and-runs.