Thanks to a recent surge in hit-and-run collisions in Edmonton, authorities have taken a stand on the issue and are encouraging citizens to help document cases of such accidents.
During one foggy Saturday in January, there were dozens of collisions in the city; 19 of which were classified by the police as hit-and-run cases.
Sgt. Eric Duff, head of the Edmonton police hit-and-run unit, told Edmonton Sun that drivers who flee the scene of a collision are a “persistent irritant” for traffic investigators, who are only able to solve a fraction of reported cases.
“If you see a hit and run, be a good witness,” Duff urged citizens.
Duff advised bystanders to a hit-and-run accident to record as much information about the other vehicle and details about the collision as they can to share with the owner of the damaged car. The information could be disclosed in a note left underneath a windshield wiper.
Edmonton police said that it has received 7,085 reports of a failure to remain at the scene of a collision in 2016. Without good witnesses, however, only 383 cases were referred to constables for investigation.
Duff also encouraged people to stop and share any information they might have following a collision, even if they believe they are not at fault. The information can be useful in piecing together how the accident transpired.
“It’s your responsibility to take responsibility for a collision, whether you’ve caused it or not, it doesn’t matter. You still have to stop and exchange information,” he added.
Some drivers involved in hit-and-run cases are motivated to flee so that they could avoid paying for damages. Others escape the scene out of fear that they would get caught without insurance, or because they had their license suspended. In more devious cases, the at-fault driver might speak to the victim, but avoid giving out any information before driving away from the scene.
For such situations, Duff has recommended that victimized drivers should use their smartphones to take as many photos as they can – of the at-fault driver, his or her vehicle, and any documents they may provide – before they can leave, to serve as documentation.
Without anyone to assume liability to the damages in a hit-and-run case, insurers are left to pay for the at-fault driver’s mistake without any way to recoup the losses.
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