Troopers urge drivers to stay on scene after car accidents

'That is your obligation as a driver'

(Getty Images)

Hit-and-run accidents are a major issue in Central Florida with multiple new accidents impacting local communities this week alone.

For hit-and-run awareness month, the Florida Highway Patrol wanted to remind drivers the importance of staying at the scene of the crash.

Recommended Videos



"Last year, we saw a dramatic increase in hit-and-run fatalities, and that's something that we want to decrease as much as possible," Trooper Steve Montero said. "We want to advise drivers, 'look, you have been involved in something that you see as an accident. Once you leave, you are turning something possibly from just a crash into something criminal."
 
FHP emphasized that accidents happen, but leaving the scene is never acceptable.
 
"When you leave a crash, once you leave you turn a bad situation into something worse," Montero said.

Once the realization is made that a person may have been struck, check to see if someone is in trouble and call for help.

"We're encouraging all drivers, you've got to stay there, that is your obligation as a driver is to stay on scene," Montero said.
 
He said it's not a random object in a hit and run.
 
"This is someone's mother, father that is being affected once you leave the scene and God forbid if you are leaving someone that you could render help to."
 
As someone involved in the crash, the driver could end up helping to save a life.
 
"Just because you think you hit something, you may have hit someone, and you remaining on scene you could save that person's life," Montero said.