This article examines trends in `hit and run' accidents between 1984 and 1993. Details are given of where these accidents occur, who is injured and what types of vehicle are involved. Since any driver involved in an accident is required to stop, `hit and run' accidents provide an insight into motoring offences. The numbers of fatal accidents was greatest in 1988 and has oscillated since; other accidents increased until 1991 and then have declined gradually. The relative frequency of `hit and run' accidents varies from five per cent of all accidents in Scotland to nine per cent in Northern England; for fatal accidents the corresponding range was from two to nearly six per cent. They were higher in the evenings where most occurred on urban roads. A high proportion of the fatal and slight accidents were within lengths restricted by 30 mile/h speed limits. The greatest proportion of casualties was amongst pedestrians and pedal cyclists.
Abstract