Thousands of road users are committed… Thuringia Every year there are accidents – sometimes fatal. According to the state police department, there will be 12,480 cases by 2024. That’s about 34 cases a day. This means that in every fourth accident, the perpetrator runs away. The numbers have been largely constant over the years, it’s just that during the Corona pandemic the number of cases and accidents overall was lower.
Hundreds of people were seriously injured and many died
Based on preliminary figures, nearly 10,000 hit-and-run cases were recorded this year by the end of October. In mid-October, a pedestrian died in the Sömmerda district when he was thrown into a ditch by a truck. The driver initially sped off and only then contacted the police POLICE. In August, a cyclist also died after being hit by a car in the Sömmerda district. The driver was only caught after a police helicopter searched him.
In the five years from 2020 up to and including 2024, police recorded eleven hit-and-run related deaths. In more than 300 cases, people were seriously injured, and more than 2,000 people also suffered minor injuries. Most cases involve only property damage, for example if a parked car is hit. Cleanup rates have ranged between 43 and 45 percent for several years.
This is threatening if an accident occurs
According to ADAC Hesse-Thuringia, anyone who leaves the scene of an accident without permission can face a fine or revocation of their driver’s license or even imprisonment for up to three years. “In addition, insurance usually expires,” explained spokesman Oliver Reidegeld. While it’s your own responsibility to cover the damage, you’ll eventually get your money back from the person who caused it.
“In addition, the fugitive must pay for the losses himself.” Because comprehensive insurance usually cancels benefits completely. “Insurance companies are often allowed to do this even if the process is halted due to minor errors and cash payments.”
Reidegeld emphasized that responsibility does not depend on the type of traffic participation. The regulations mentioned will also apply to pedestrians, cyclists and other modes of transportation. “If you don’t have liability insurance, you have to cover the costs yourself.”
A note in the window is not enough
By the way, a piece of paper with contact details on the windshield of the car you hit while exiting the parking lot is not enough, as the state police department explains. The party causing the accident must wait for the vehicle owner at the location. If he doesn’t show up, the police should be called. If you simply leave a note, this could be classified as unauthorized removal from the accident scene.
Even if you continue driving later and go to the police, you can’t expect to get away scot-free. The escape from the accident was later deemed to have occurred. However, a police spokesman said it could have the effect of mitigating the sentence. The following applies: the earlier you contact us, the sooner you will get leniency. But if you give it hours or even days, the penalty reduction can be eliminated entirely.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-328295/1
