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<p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number
of drivers prosecuted for offences of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic
accident.</p><p>The offence of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic accident
is created by Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which imposes obligations on
drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles who are involved in road accidents.</p><p>Although
it is not possible to identify the number of <em>people</em> charged with particular
offences, records are held by the CPS showing the overall number of <em>offences</em>
in which a prosecution conducted by them commenced in the magistrates’ courts. The
table below therefore shows the number of <em>offences</em>, rather than <em>defendants</em>,
charged by way of Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 during 2015 and 2016. It
should be noted that a single defendant may be charged with more than one offence.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Road Traffic Act
1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 170 }</p></td><td><p>9,825</p></td><td><p>9,056</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Data
Source: CPS Case Management Information System</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It
should further be noted that failures to stop at the scenes of traffic accidents are
specified proceedings. These are offences which the police prosecute in order to reduce
unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure swifter justice. The CPS will only prosecute a
specified offence in cases where a not guilty plea has been entered. It may also be
the case that the CPS will prosecute this offence when the defendant is charged with
other more serious associated offences (for example, failing to stop and dangerous
driving or driving under the influence of alcohol). The figures in the table above
do not include those specified cases prosecuted by the police.</p><p> </p>
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