Police In North Wales Recorded Almost 600 Hit-And-Run Incidents – Including Dozens Of Child Casualties

Police in North Wales recorded almost 600 hit-and-run incidents over the past 7 years, with casualties ranging from young children to older people.

The figures, uncovered as part of a Freedom of Information request submitted to North Wales Police by experts at RTA Law, also found 78 incidents involved children aged 15 or younger. Seven incidents involved people aged 85 or over. The most affected casualty age group was 16-25, with 161 incidents. When it comes to gender, males were more often involved in incidents than females.

The majority of hit-and-run incidents involved only vehicles, with 999 road users involved. Pedestrians came second with 244, and pedal cyclist third with 121.

In most cases, injuries were only slight, but 7 were fatal.

Rod Mitchell, from RTA Law, who submitted the Freedom of Information Request, said “If you’re involved in or witness a hit-and-run, your first priority should always be safety. Move to a secure place, if possible, then call emergency services and the police immediately. Collect as much information as you can, vehicle details, witness contact information, and photos of the scene. Even if details seem minor, they can significantly influence your claim. Finally, always seek legal advice early, specialists can guide you through the process and help secure fair compensation.”

Rod’s top tips are:

Prioritise your immediate safety:

• Move yourself and others out of the path of traffic to a safe spot on the pavement or roadside.
  
• If someone is seriously injured, avoid moving them unless absolutely necessary to prevent further harm.
  
• Contact emergency services immediately, clearly stating your location and describing injuries sustained by those involved.
  

Document the incident thoroughly:

• Try to record the vehicle’s details, such as registration number, make, model, colour, and distinctive markings, even partial details are valuable.
  
• Take photographs or videos from multiple angles, capturing the wider scene, specific damages to vehicles, injuries sustained, skid marks, road signs, and road conditions.
  
• Keep a detailed record of exactly when and where the incident took place, noting weather and lighting conditions.

Secure witness evidence and report promptly:

• Speak calmly to any witnesses at the scene, obtaining their full names and reliable contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses.
  
• Report the incident to the police immediately, providing all evidence collected, even if you initially believe your injuries or damage may seem minor. Timely reporting can make a significant difference.
  
• Seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible. Experienced road traffic solicitors can advise you on interacting with insurers, pursuing a claim, and understanding your legal rights, greatly improving your chances of obtaining compensation.

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