The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has been exploring the prevalence of hit-and-run crashes in the U.S. Per capita, Arizona has the fifth highest rate of fatal hit-and-run crashes across the country.
More than one hit-and-run crash happens every minute on U.S. roads. Those crashes resulted in more than 2,000 deaths in 2016, which is a 60 percent increase from 2009.
Michelle Donati is with AAA Arizona. She said drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should try to eliminate distractions when they’re on the road.
"Know that that text, that phone call, that notification that you want to check is certainly not worth risking your safety or the safety of others out there on the road,” Donati said.
Donati said even if you’re not involved in a crash, don’t expect other witnesses to call 911. In Arizona, drivers who flee the scene of a crash that results in an injury can face a Class 5 or 6 felony.
