Fail-to-Stop Crashes More Than Double in Cumbria as Police Issue Road Safety Warning
Cumbria has seen a sharp rise in fail-to-stop road traffic collisions, new figures show.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request to Cumbria Constabulary shows that drivers left the scene of a crash 1,406 times between 2023 and 2025.
The figures show a clear year-on-year increase.
Cumbria recorded:
- 232 fail-to-stop crashes in 2023
- 371 fail-to-stop crashes in 2024
- 803 fail-to-stop crashes in 2025
That means the number of recorded fail-to-stop collisions more than doubled between 2024 and 2025.
The total rose from 371 incidents in 2024 to 803 in 2025. That is an increase of around 116% in one year.
What Is a Fail-to-Stop Collision?
A fail-to-stop crash happens when a driver leaves the scene of a collision without stopping or giving their details.
Drivers are legally required to stop as soon as it is safe to do so after a road traffic collision.
They must also exchange details with anyone involved where needed. This usually includes their name, address, vehicle registration number and insurance details if requested.
Leaving the scene can make it much harder for victims to report damage, make insurance claims or get help if someone has been injured.
Big Rise Across Cumbria
The figures show that fail-to-stop crashes rose from 232 in 2023 to 371 in 2024.
That was an annual increase of 59.9%.
The number then rose again in 2025, reaching 803 recorded incidents.
Across the full three-year period, the increase from 232 in 2023 to 803 in 2025 represents a rise of around 246%.
The figures suggest fail-to-stop crashes have become a growing issue on Cumbria’s road network.
Where Incidents Were Recorded in 2024
The FOI data was broken down by area.
In 2024, the highest number of fail-to-stop crashes was recorded in Carlisle.
The 2024 figures included:
- Carlisle: 95
- South Lakeland: 76
- Allerdale: 71
- Copeland: 47
- Barrow: 42
- Eden: 40
This shows the issue affected both urban areas and wider rural districts.
Carlisle had the highest recorded total, followed by South Lakeland and Allerdale.
Barrow Also Saw an Increase
Barrow recorded 42 fail-to-stop collisions in 2024.
That rose to 66 in 2025.
This was an increase of 57.14% in one year.
For local drivers and pedestrians, the rise is concerning. Fail-to-stop incidents can leave people dealing with damage, injury or shock without immediate support from the person responsible.
They can also create extra pressure for police, who may need to trace vehicles and drivers after the event.
Police Say Road Safety Remains a Priority
Inspector Holly Lockwood said road safety remains a priority for Cumbria Police throughout the year.
She said Roads Policing Unit officers are out “day and night” looking for people who are a danger to themselves and others.
She also urged drivers to take basic steps to prevent collisions.
Drivers are being reminded to:
- drive sensibly
- leave plenty of space from the vehicle in front
- follow speed limits
- drive to the conditions
This advice is especially important in Cumbria, where roads can vary greatly. Drivers may move between town centres, rural lanes, fast A-roads and tourist hotspots in the same journey.
Weather can also change quickly, especially in winter and in upland areas.
Action at Accident Hotspots
Cumbria Road Safety Partnership also works to reduce risks on the county’s roads.
The partnership includes Cumbria Police and local authority partners such as Cumberland Council.
It targets accident hotspots for action. This can include permanent and temporary measures.
Examples include:
- fixed speed cameras
- changes to road layouts
- speed indicator devices
- increased police patrols
- targeted road safety work in high-risk areas
The force is also using the Road Harms Index to identify places where there is a higher risk of collisions.
This helps police and partners decide where to focus resources.
Vision Zero Ambition
Cumbria Police is also taking part in Vision Zero.
This is a national ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the road network by 2030.
The goal is challenging, but police and road safety partners say it gives a clear focus for enforcement, education and prevention.
Fail-to-stop crashes are part of that wider road safety picture. When drivers leave the scene, it can make an already serious situation worse.
What Drivers Must Do After a Crash
Police advice is clear.
If you are involved in a road traffic collision, you should:
- stop at the scene as soon as it is safe
- switch off your engine
- turn on your hazard lights
- check whether you or any passengers are injured
- exchange details with anyone involved
- provide insurance details if requested
If the other driver leaves without giving details, or if you are unable to get the information you need, you should call police on 101 while still at the scene.
When to Call 999
There are some situations where drivers should call 999 instead.
You should call 999 if:
- someone is in danger
- someone has been seriously injured
- you believe a serious offence has been committed
- the collision has caused a road blockage
Drivers do not need to report every collision to police.
If details have been exchanged, nobody has been injured and there are no allegations of driving offences, a police report may not be needed.
However, a collision must be reported if details cannot be exchanged, if anyone is injured, or if there is suspicion that another driver has committed an offence.
Why the Rise Matters
Fail-to-stop crashes can have a serious impact on victims.
Even where damage is minor, the person affected may be left with insurance problems, repair costs and uncertainty about who was responsible.
Where someone is injured, leaving the scene can delay help and make the incident more serious.
The rise in recorded incidents across Cumbria shows why police are continuing to stress the importance of stopping, exchanging details and driving responsibly.
The message to motorists is simple: if you are involved in a crash, stop safely, check for injuries and provide the details required by law.
