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Tampa Bay Newspapers 9911 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772 Phone: (727) 397-5563 Fax: (727) 397-5900 Submit News
The Florida Highway Patrol is sponsoring a statewide Hit & Run Traffic Crash Awareness Campaign Feb. 18-22. The goal of the campaign is to educate motorists of Florida’s traffic laws regarding driver responsibility in the event of a traffic crash.
While being involved in a traffic crash can be traumatic, drivers who leave the scene of the crash and fail to exchange information or render aid compound the event for all involved.
It’s bad to get in a traffic crash, FHP says, but it is even worse to go to jail for not staying.
Florida law enforcement agencies investigated nearly 70,000 hit and run traffic crashes during 2012, which left 16,500 injured and killed 168. In an effort to reduce those numbers, the Florida Highway Patrol will team with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to remind drivers of the consequences of leaving the scene of any traffic crash.
FHP offers tips on what to do if you’re involved in a crash.
• Stop immediately, but do not obstruct traffic
• Assist injured
• Call law enforcement
• Secure names and addresses of drivers and witnesses
• Secure make, model and license numbers of all vehicles involved
• Make a rough drawing of the scene, showing position of all vehicles
• Don’t accept claim settlements at the crash scene
• Remain calm
• Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible
There are consequences to leaving the scene involving death, injury and property damage.
Leaving the scene of a crash involving death or injuries is a felony of the first degree, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in a state correctional facility, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.
Leaving the scene of a crash with property damage is a misdemeanor of the second degree and carries a maximum penalty of 50 days in the county jail, a fine of $500 or both.
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