One in two drivers commits a hit and run

In more than half of the traffic accidents in Belgium with no witness and only minor damage to the vehicle(s), meaning scratches, scrapes or dings, the offender leaves the scene without identifying him- or herself, according to figures from the Belgian Road Safety Institute published in Het Laatste Nieuws. The number is likely even higher, reports the Institute, but not all victims go to the police.

In 2010, there were 73,075 cases of hit and run in Belgium after a collision with no injuries, or 46% of the total accidents. Last year, 52% of the drivers drove away after causing a minor accident.

In accidents with injuries or fatalities, hit and runs are much less frequent.