New research published this week from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that over 919,000 police-reported crashes in 2023 involved a driver who fled the scene, resulting in 242,000 injuries and 2,872 fatalities.
Hit-and-run crashes were 15% of all crashes in 2023 — the highest percentage recorded in any recent year. The study reveals a growing crisis on America’s roads, one that leaves injured people alone, without help and too often with no one to hold accountable.
People outside cars are especially vulnerable: Nearly 1 in 4 pedestrians and cyclists and at least 6 in 15 roadside workers killed in crashes in 2023 were hit by a driver who fled the scene. They are frequently struck in darkness late at night or early in the morning, when visibility is low and there may be no one nearby to call for help.
In Connecticut, over 8% of traffic fatalities from 2017 to 2023 were the result of hit-and-run crashes.
“The reasons drivers leave the scene of a crash may vary, but the bottom line is that there’s no excuse,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “Fleeing after a crash only compounds the harm, whereas staying, calling for help and taking responsibility can save lives.”
The AAA Foundation’s research identifies practical solutions that can save lives and make fleeing the scene less likely, including automatic crash notifications through vehicles and smartphones, safer road designs that protect people walking and biking and accountability measures — including clear legal consequences and consistent enforcement.
Other notable findings:
- Among known hit-and-run drivers in fatal crashes, 40% did not have a valid driver’s license, and more than half were driving vehicles that were not registered in their name.
- Most identified hit-and-run drivers were young, male and crashed within a short distance of their homes.
- Research suggests drivers are less likely to flee when they believe they will be caught, pointing to the potential impact of traffic cameras and “Yellow Alert” systems that notify and seek information from the public after serious or fatal hit-and-run crashes.