AAA Study: Hit-and-run crash related deaths on the rise

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Data from a 10 year study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is released showing the number of hit and run deaths on the rise.

The study conducted from 2006 to 2016 looked into the number of hit and run crashes and the number of fatalities as a result of the crashes. The study shows an average of 682-thousand hit and run crashes occur each year since 2006. In 2016, 2049 people were killed in hit-and -run crashes which is a 60% increase from 2009.

“We’re seeing more people involved in these crashes and more people dying from these crashes. And unfortunately, the majority, 65%, of hit and run crash deaths are pedestrians,” said Kimberly Schwind of AAA. “It’s critical that a victim receives medical attention within the first hour of a traumatic crash. And so, with hit and run crashes if there are no witnesses and nobody to call 911, their chance of survival is dramatically decreased.”

Schwind said location plays a small part in where hit-and-run crashes take place and that can also attribute to the deaths as a result of the crash.

“Obviously, you’re going to have more hit and run crashes in areas that are more densely populated. With that being said, you know, a lot of times you see hit and run crashes at night in areas that aren’t as populated because it seems like people think maybe they can get away with it more or because there aren’t any witnesses.”

Schwind said while there is no concrete evidence distracted driving contributes to hit and run crashes drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists all need to be more aware while on the roads. In the state of Ohio, you can face anywhere from a minor misdemeanor to a 3rd degree felony for a hit-and-run accident.