NEW YORK- The lohud.com reports that hit-and-run deaths are on the rise in the United States. Since 2006, the AAA’s data indicates that there have been 682,000 hit-and-runs. In 2016, 2,049 people died in accidents where the person responsible fled the scene. This was the highest recorded number of hit-and-run deaths ever recorded.
In New York, the amount of hit-and-run accidents has gone up and down. While 2009 resulted in the lowest number the state has ever seen, 2012 was the worst year with 76 hit-and-run deaths. Many of those killed are actually pedestrians and not other occupants of vehicles. In fact, 70% of fatalities were either pedestrians or cyclists.
Almost one-fifth of pedestrian deaths were the result hit-and-run accidents. One potential reason that hit-and-runs have increased is just that there is a larger number of people getting out to walk or bike in recent years. More cyclists and pedestrians on the road leads to more chances for something to go wrong.
The AAA stated that the drivers most likely to be responsible for hit-and-runs are young men with histories of having their licenses suspended or of DWI’s. Alcohol seems to play a role in many hit-and-run accidents. The number of drivers who are involved in hit-and-run accidents and have high blood alcohol levels is at least twice as high as that of other drivers involved in accidents, and possibly as much as nine times higher. Leaving the scene of an accident where someone was injured can increase the chance of the victim dying. By staying around to ensure medical attention is sought, drivers who caused accidental injuries can take steps to reduce the harm they have caused.
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