COEUR d’ALENE — Hit-and-run crashes are on the rise nationwide, according to data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and have also become more frequent locally.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that 15% of all crashes reported to police in 2023 involved a driver who allegedly fled the scene. Hit-and-run crashes accounted for 7% of all crash deaths and approximately 25% of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. 

“Unfortunately, a driver who chooses to flee has often made other poor choices that motivate the behavior – for example, the failure to carry the proper insurance coverage or driving without a valid license,” said Matthew Conde, AAA Idaho public affairs director. “Regardless of the reason, it is never acceptable to leave the scene without fulfilling obligations as prescribed by law.”   

Locally, the number of reported hit-and-run crashes has fluctuated over the past decade. Such crashes have numbered more than 200 per year since 2022, according to data from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. 

Of the crashes reported to police within the city of Coeur d’Alene between 2015 and 2019, roughly 20% to 24% were hit-and-run crashes, according to city data. Since 2022, hit-and-runs accounted for 27% to 30% of reported crashes. 

“About 50% of our hit-and-run accidents are due to the fact that the driver was unaware they hit the other vehicle and we are able to clear those with facilitating an information exchange,” Temporary Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Dave Hagar told The Press. 

Fatal hit-and-run crashes often occur late at night or early in the morning, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “when visibility is low and fewer witnesses are present.” 

Between Feb. 26 and March 25, most reported crashes in Coeur d’Alene occurred during daylight hours. A total of 13 crashes occurred between 7 a.m. and 10:59 a.m., while 18 occurred between 11 a.m. and 2:59 p.m. and 15 occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

During that four-week period, most crashes occurred mid-week, with 11 crashes reported on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Among hit-and-run drivers, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 40% did not have a valid driver’s license, more than half were driving vehicles not in their name and the majority were young, male and drivers who crashed close to home.