Abstract
Although a small body of research has explored drivers’ decisions to leave the scene of a road traffic collision (hit-and-run), little research has explored how understanding the processes of hit-and-run collisions could inform prevention strategies. Drawing upon findings from a literature review and in-depth interviews with 52 convicted hit-and-run drivers, a crime script approach is utilised as a heuristic device to explore the precursors, immediate aftermath and longer-term aftermath of hit-and-run events. This method allows for motivational factors to be identified. Then, utilising Clarke’s techniques of situational crime prevention as a guiding framework, possibilities for the prevention of hit-and-run are presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Section 170(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires a driver to stop if his/her motor vehicle has been involved in an accident which has caused injury to another person or animal, damage to another vehicle or damage to roadside property. There is then a duty to provide contact details (including name and address) and other appropriate information to any person who has reasonable grounds to request such information. In the event that the driver does not provide details at the scene, the accident must be reported at a police station or to a police constable as soon as reasonably practicable, or within 25 h. Failure to do so is a criminal offence that carries a fine and potentially up to 6 months imprisonment. The offence also carries five to ten penalty points and/or a disqualification from driving.
The DVLA maintain the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and the registration and licensing of vehicles in the UK.
This totals 59 collisions as there is double counting in relation to the collisions where pedestrians were involved.
Indeed, the initial survey of 695 drivers (See Hopkins and Chivers 2016) highlighted that around 1 in 20 fled the scene because they were not insured and did not want to face the consequences.
Alcolocks are breathalyser immobilisers that prevent an individual from driving while over the legally allowed alcohol limit.
Telematics monitor how well a person drives. Insurance premiums are then based on how safe and conscientious a driver is.
There is a question about exchanging details after a collision in the current theory test, though additional questions might be added.
Some insurance companies do currently have such literature, but not in a standardised format.
Currently legislation stipulates that if someone fails to stop at the scene and exchange details, they must report in person at a police station or to a police officer within 24 h.
References
Aidoo, E., R. Amoh-Gyimah, and W. Actaah. 2013. The Effect of Road and Environmental Characteristics on Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accidents in Ghana. Accident Analysis and Prevention 53: 23–27.
Beirness, D.J., A. Clayton, and W. Vanlaar. 2008. An Investigation of the Usefulness, the Acceptability and Impact on Lifestyle of Alcohol Ignition Interlocks in Drink-driving Offenders Usability of Alcolocks (Road Safety Research Report). Road Safety Research Report 88. London: Department for Transport.
Bjorgo, T. 2016. Preventing Crime: A Holistic Approach. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Chiu, Y., and B. Leclerc. 2016. An Examination of Sexual Offences Against Women by Acquaintances: The Utility of a Script Framework for Prevention Purposes. In Crime Prevention in the 21st Century, ed. B. Leclerc and E. Savona. Switzerland: Springer.
Clarke, R. 1997. Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies. 2nd ed. New York: Harrow & Heston.
Dalby, T., and M. Nesca. 2008. The Psychology of Hit-and-Run. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 8(5): 51–56.
Davis, D., and B. Silver. 2003. Stereotype Threat and Race of Interviewer Effects in a Survey of Political Knowledge. American Journal of Political Science 47(1): 33–45.
Department for Transport (DfT). 2016. Accidents Involving a Hit-and-Run Vehicle, Great Britain, 2005–2015. London: Data supplied by Department for Transport.
Fujita, G., K. Okamura, M. Kihira, and R. Kosuge. 2014. Factors Contributing to Driver Choice After Hitting a Pedestrian in Japan. Accident Analysis and Prevention 72: 277–286.
Gilmour, N. 2014. Understanding Money Laundering—A Crime Script Approach. The European Review of Organised Crime 1(2): 35–56.
Grembek, O., and J. Griswold. 2012. On the Legal Deterrence of Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Collisions. Working Paper. Berkley: University of California, Safe Transportation Research and Education Center. https://safetrec.berkeley.edu/publications/legal-deterrence-pedestrian-hit-and-run-collisions.
Hopkins, M., and S. Chivers. 2016. A National Survey: Why Do Drivers Fail to Stop and Report an Accident? https://www.mib.org.uk/media-centre/news/2016/april/new-research-shows-why-drivers-hit-and-run/.
Jiang, C., L. Linjun, S. Chen, and J. John Lu. 2016. Hit-and-Run Crashes in Urban River-Crossing Road Tunnels. Accident Analysis and Prevention 95: 373–380.
LeClerc, B. and R. Wortley (eds.). 2014. Cognition and Crime: Offender Decision Making and Script Analyses. Oxon: Routledge.
Macleod, K., J. Griswold, L. Arnold, and D. Ragland. 2012. Factors Associated with Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Fatalities and Driver Identification. Accident Analysis and Prevention 45: 336–372.
Newman, G., and J. Freilich. 2012. Extending the Reach of Situational Crime Prevention. In The Reasoning Criminologist: Essays in Honour of Ronald V. Clarke, ed. N. Tilley and G. Farrell, 212–225. London: Routledge.
Price, V., A. Sidebottom, and N. Tilley. 2016. Understanding and Prevention Lead Theft in Churches: A Script Analysis. In Heritage Crime: Progress, Prospects and Prevention, ed. L. Grove and S. Thomas, 128–148. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan Publishers.
Roshandeh, A., B. Zhou, and A. Behnood. 2016. Comparison of Contributing Factors in Hit-and-Run Crashes with Distracted and Non-distracted Drivers. Transportation Research Part F 38: 22–28.
Socco, V., and L. Kennedy. 2008. The Criminal Event: An Introduction to Criminology in Canada. 4th ed. Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
Solnick, S., and D. Hemenway. 1994. Hit the Bottle and Run: The Role of Alcohol in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Fatalities. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 55(6): 679–684.
Solnick, S., and D. Hemenway. 1995. The Hit-and-Run in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents: Victims, Circumstances and Drivers. Accident Analysis Prevention 27(5): 643–649.
Tay, R., S. Rifaat, and H. Chin. 2008. A Logistic Model of the Effects of Roadway, Environmental, Vehicle, Accident and Driver Characteristics on Hit-and-Run Crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention 40(4): 1330–1336.
Tay, R., U. Barua, and L. Kattan. 2009. Factors Contributing to Hit-and-Run in Fatal Crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention 41: 227–233.
Tay, R., L. Kattan, and H. Sun. 2010. A Logistic Model of Hit-and-Run Crashes in Calgary. Canadian Journal of Transportation 4: 1–10.
Zhang, G., G. Li, T. Cai, D. Bishai, C. Wu, and Z. Chan. 2014. Factors Contributing to Hit-and-Run Crashes in China. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 23: 113–124.
Zhou, B., A. Roshandeh, S. Zhang, and Z. Ma. 2016. Analysis of Factors Contributing to Hit-and-run Crashes Involved with Improper Driving Behaviours. Procedia Engineering 137: 554–562.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hopkins, M., Chivers, S. Understanding and preventing hit-and-run driving: a crime script analysis. Crime Prev Community Saf 20, 16–29 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0036-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0036-1