Statewide Hit and Run Crashes have increased by 26% since 2013; Hit and Run Fatalities have increased by 20% since 2013
Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph announced today that his office will participate in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ (DHSMV) annual hit and run awareness campaign. DHSMV recognizes Hit and Run Awareness Month each February; this year’s theme is Stay at the Scene.
In 2016, there were a total of 99,004 hit and run crashes, 1,251 serious bodily injuries and 179 fatalities statewide. Hit and run crashes, injuries and fatalities have increased dramatically in the State of Florida over the last few years. Since 2013, hit and run crashes have increased by 26% (an increase of 20,343 crashes), serious bodily injuries increased by 13% and fatalities increased by 20%.
In Central Florida, there were a total of 17,378 hit and run crashes in 2016, including 7,343 in Orange County, which led the seven-county region. Orange County also led Central Florida in the number of hit and run crashes which caused serious bodily injury (147) and the number of hit and run fatalities (27) in 2016.
“In Orange County, there are 20 hit and run crashes each and every day, but there’s just no excuse to leave the scene of a crash,” Tax Collector Scott Randolph said. “Through Hit and Run Awareness Month, I’m hopeful that drivers will understand the impact of these crashes.”
The penalties for leaving the scene of a crash are quite serious. A person convicted of a hit and run with property damage may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, face up to 60 days in prison and have their license revoked for at least three years. Leaving the scene of a crash which involves a fatality is a first-degree felony which may lead to up to 30 years in prison.
As part of Hit and Run Awareness Month, the Orange County Tax Collector’s Office will display posters in each of its seven Tag Agencies countywide and raise awareness on social media. You can ‘like’ the Orange County Tax Collector on Facebook at facebook.com/octaxcol and ‘follow’ us on Twitter at @octaxcol.
To report a hit and run crash anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Central Florida at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
About the Orange County Tax Collector
Scott Randolph is serving in his second term as the independently-elected Orange County Tax Collector. The Tax Collector’s Office serves thousands of customers each day at nine locations, including seven Tag Agencies, across Orange County. The office is responsible for providing all motor vehicle services, including the issuance of driver licenses and tag renewals, and collecting and distributing property tax revenues. Learn more at octaxcol.cbmstage.com.
