Some 92 drivers a week flee the scene of a serious accident in Belgium, with pedestrians and cyclists the most likely victims, according to road safety agency Vias
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Hit-and-run accidents on the increase, with one in eight drivers speeding away
Lisa Bradshaw
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The number of hit-and-run car accidents in Belgium has increased by 9% over the last decade, according to a new report released by road safety agency Vias. A total of 92 drivers a week flee the scene of an accident that resulted in injuries or death.
That means that nearly one in eight drivers involved in such accidents leave the scene. “People are in shock when they cause an accident, which is totally understandable,” says Stef Willems of Vias. “But you must be able to control that reflex to flee following that initial shock. We see that many people who commit a hit-and-run are driving under the influence or their papers are not in order. They think that driving away is the best option for them.”
For victims, it’s much worse psychologically because they are left thinking ‘is my life not worth you pulling over?’
Stef Willems, Vias
Some of those 92 drivers turn themselves in hours or days following the incident, but of course that can be too late for the victim, says Willems. Vias has launched a campaign to try to convince drivers to stay at the scene and call for help – no matter what the circumstances.
“For victims, it’s much worse psychologically because they are left thinking ‘is my life not worth you pulling over?’,” explains Willems. “But also in some circumstances, it can literally mean the difference between survival and death, especially late at night when there’s not a lot of passersby. If you are laying there for a half an hour or 45 minutes – that is crucial time that is lost.”
Cyclists most at risk
Of the 4,799 victims of a hit-and-run a year, more than half are cyclists and pedestrians, with far more cyclists (1,716) involved, as pedestrians are more likely to be on the pavement. The Vias campaign features a video of Lotte , who talks about the hit-and-run that killed her partner 10 years ago.
The pair were holidaying in France and cycling from a restaurant back to their campsite. “A drunk driver was speeding, hit us from behind and left us for dead,” she says. Another couple found them and called an ambulance, which saved Lotte’s life. “If he had stayed,” says Lotte, referring to the driver, “maybe it wouldn’t have turned out differently, but I wouldn’t be sitting here still with this intense anger. I’m left with that always burning inside me.”
In any case, she points out, fleeing is also worse for the drivers because the punishment when they’re caught is much worse. And they do get caught: According to Vias, the percentage of hit-and-run drivers that are caught has also increased because of the number of traffic and security cameras in the streets. Only 13% of yearly hit-and-run incidents in Belgium remain unsolved.
Someone convicted of a hit-and-run can face prison sentences of up to four years and fines up to €40,000. And, says Lotte, “they also have to carry around that guilt for the rest of their lives.”