CA's Hit-And-Run Deaths Outpacing National Average: Report

New research finds that 15% of all vehicle crashes reported to law enforcement in 2023 involved a driver who fled the scene, the highest national percentage ever recorded. It’s a trend with deadly consequences, especially in California.

According to the March 23 report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, researchers analyzed hit-and-run crashes over a period spanning 2017 through 2023 (the most recent year for which data were available). Crashes involving vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians were reviewed.

In 2023, there were 919,292 hit-and-run crashes nationally, representing 15.0% of all wrecks. Fatal hit-and-runs tallied 2,872, or 7.0% of all nationwide crash fatalities for 2023.

Zooming in on California, the state did not fare well. Over the 2017-through-2023 period, 28,494 road fatalities were reported in the Golden State. Of those, 10.5% were hit-and-run incidents, according to the research.

Only Washington, D.C., had a higher fatal hit-and-run crash percentage. Though the nation’s capital had just 238 fatal crashes reported over the same period, 19.7% were hit-and-run, the data show.

States with the fewest deadly hit-and-run crashes (as a percentage of all statewide fatal crashes) over the seven-year period include Maine (0.6%), Wyoming (0.9%), Idaho (1.1%), New Hampshire (1.2%), and Iowa (1.3%).

But no matter the state, cyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable. Over the seven-year period, 23.1% of hit-and-run fatalities nationally involved pedestrians, while another 21.5% involved cyclists, according to the research.

During the same period in California, the data show 26.4% of all fatal hit-and-run incidents involved pedestrians and/or cyclists.

“While the reasons drivers flee vary, the outcomes are often too severe or fatal and our analysis shows the percentage of this crash type continues to increase during the past several years,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Drivers must understand that leaving the scene only compounds the harm. Staying, calling for help, and taking responsibility can save lives.”

Other notable national findings from the research:

— Hit-and-run fatalities most often occurred late at night or in the early morning hours, when it is dark and witnesses are less likely to be present.

— Among apprehended hit-and-run drivers involved in fatal crashes, 40% did not have a valid driver’s license, and more than half were driving vehicles not registered in their name.

— The majority of 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 Alerts” that notify and seek information from the public after serious or fatal hit-and-run crashes.

Bringing down the number of hit-and-run crashes will take a multi-pronged approach,” according to Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research.

“Stronger enforcement, smarter use of technology, and public education can work together to change behavior — and we already have the tools to make a real difference and save lives,” Nelson said.

The researchers cite countermeasures, including strategies to increase people’s perceived likelihood of being caught. Traffic cameras, fast public alerts, communications with local media, and public service announcements are among the suggestions.

The researchers also pointed out the need to protect vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) through street infrastructure that shields them from motor vehicles. Other suggestions include improved lighting and safer intersection designs.

According to Nelson, “We already have the tools to make a real difference and save lives.”