Study of Hit-and-Run Crashes in Singapore

Running after crashes is an offense because help is not rendered by the offending driver which may increase the injury of the accident victim due to delayed crash notification and treatment. About 1225 hit-and-run crashes are reported in Singapore from 1992 to 2002. However, there is no known study that examined the hit and run crashes in Singapore. In this study, an attempt is made to identify the possible contributing factors for the occurrence of hit-and-run crashes. Based on reported accident from 1992 to 2002, the factors such as driver characteristics, vehicle types, crash characteristics, roadway features and environmental characteristics are investigated using logistic regression model. The study shows that hit-and-run crashes have slightly increased with time; perhaps this specific type of crash is more governed by the surrounding circumstance and environment rather than general improvements in safety standards. The vehicle type, road type, crash type, driver’s characteristics and time related factors are found to be the important determinants whether to leave the accident scene. Drivers more commonly run at night. Crashes on bridge and flyover, bend, straight road, near shop house are more conducive to run. Leaving the accident scene is more associated with two-wheelers involved crashes. Vehicles from neighboring countries are more prone to flee after crashes. When the driver is a male, Indian, aged in between 45-69 appeared to run more. Leaving crash locations is more likely seen in crashes between vehicles compared to crashes with pedestrians. On the other hand, some other variables for example, right turn and U-turn maneuvers, offending drivers, crashes on undivided roads are found to influence more to stay after crashes rather than run.