Since 2009, hit-and-run fatalities are up 60 percent, the report finds, rising faster than overall traffic deaths. Hit-and-runs now account for a greater share of all traffic fatalities than at any time in the past 12 years. Only about half of hit-and-run drivers who kill are later identified.
The authors aren’t sure why fatal hit-and-runs are rising, but as with the general upward trend in traffic deaths, they suspect distracted driving is a factor.
Previous research has shown that hit-and-run drivers tend to have histories of drunk driving and license suspensions, and flee the scene to avoid steeper penalties.
Or they're illegal and have no license or insurance.
I live in the Albuquerque metro area, and they are on the rise here big time. It seems we can't go a week without one being reported in the news, usually involving a death.
How many are not being reported?