2023-10-16 18:48:06
In the accident which cost the life of a little girl in La Louvière last Wednesday, the attitude of the driver of the car in question raises questions. He fled following the impact. This behavior is not uncommon on our roads.
The numbers are clear. Road accidents with victims (injured or killed) have been decreasing in recent years in Belgium. We went from 45,745 bodily injury accidents in 2010 to 37,643 in 2022. Hit-and-runs followed an inverse curve: there were 4,735 cases in 2022, compared to 4,337 in 2010.
Flight following 13% of bodily accidents
“This phenomenon is increasing. 13% of all these accidents are accompanied by a hit and run. A dozen years ago, only 9% of accidents were involved“, specifies Benoit Godart, spokesperson for the Vias Institute.
Panic can push motorists to leave the scene without taking responsibility. But very often, they have something to reproach themselves for. “They do not have a license, their vehicle is not insured or not in compliance with technical inspection… We also know that some drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence is on the rise… So that might explain why more people flee following an accident“.
Up to five years in prison
And yet, this attitude is not recommended. Because it can be expensive in terms of sanctions. Up to five years in prison in the event of bodily injury. And that never makes a good impression in court, according to Mons lawyer Fabrice Guttadauria: “Obviously the police court will have a completely different assessment. We can think that the judge will show greater severity towards a person who committed this hit-and-run“.
85 times out of a hundred, we find the fugitives. Ten years ago, only 71% of them were found. Since then, things have changed: justice has made it a priority. And there are plenty of cameras to identify them.
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