Reckless or egregious driving behavior includes running red lights and stop signs, wild maneuvers across lanes and around turns, wrong-way driving, jumping curbs, and usually at higher speeds. 

The circumstances around these behaviors are so varied that they are impossible to track statistically. Tragically, many people involved don’t survive to provide reasons or explanations.

Nearly two-thirds of drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes were in the striking vehicle that originated the collision. Meaning that the driver’s own behavior – regardless of circumstances—resulted in their own death or the death of a person they know.

Reasons for hit and run crashes are not fully understood. Some drivers flee to escape the consequences of the crash or even a separate criminal act. They may even be oblivious to the crash itself due to vehicle sightlines or other distractions. Anyone involved in a crash should report to police as soon as possible.

Over half of pedestrian deaths in Chicago involved hit-and-run drivers in 2023.

Almost a quarter of traffic deaths in 2023 involved a driver running a red light or a stop sign.