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Massachusetts driving lesson · Special Situations & Crashes

Leaving the Scene & Witnessing a Crash

A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Special Situations & Crashes
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
74, 138, 139

In 2022, Massachusetts had 13,829 hit-and-run crashes. Leaving the scene without identifying yourself is a crime. And if you only witness a crash, you're expected to act safely and help.

Know the rule

Never leave the scene of a crash involving death, personal injury or property damage without stopping and identifying yourself. Stay on the scene, identify yourself properly, give aid if possible, and call for emergency help if needed.

Handbook p. 138 ↗

Maximum penalties for leaving the scene

Maximum penalties for leaving the scene
Crash causedMaximum penalty
Damage to another vehicle or property$200, or up to 2 years in prison, or both
Personal injury (not death)$1,000 and up to 2 years in prison
Injury resulting in death$5,000 and up to 2½ years jail or 10 years prison
Handbook p. 138 ↗

Know the rule

Hitting and injuring or killing a cat or dog without notifying the owner or local police can bring a fine. Any criminal conviction may add probation costs, up to six years of insurance surcharges, and license suspension.

Handbook p. 138 ↗

Know the rule

License suspension for leaving the scene: one to two years when a person is injured, and 60 days to one year for property damage, each with a $500 reinstatement fee.

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Know the rule

If you drive by a crash where police and emergency vehicles are present, reduce your speed, drive carefully, watch for people and equipment, and don't stop or slow down to sightsee.

Handbook p. 139 ↗

If you see a crash and no police or emergency vehicles are there:

  • Park off the road and turn on your emergency flashers
  • Check to see if anyone is injured
  • Call the police, or ask the next person with a phone or a passing driver to get help
  • Put flares, triangles or reflectors 200 feet or more in front of and behind the crash
  • Give first aid, and move the vehicles involved to the side of the road if possible
  • Turn off the ignition of all vehicles involved
Handbook p. 139 ↗
200 feet

Minimum distance in front of and behind a crash to place flares, triangles or reflectors

Handbook p. 139 ↗

Know the rule

Don't go near fallen electrical wires. If wires land on a vehicle, tell the people inside to stay there until emergency personnel arrive, and don't touch the vehicle.

Handbook p. 139 ↗

Put it into practice

You come upon a fresh crash on a dark road with no police there yet. Park off the road with flashers on, check for injuries, call the police, and set triangles at least 200 feet before and after the scene.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the maximum penalty for leaving the scene of a crash causing only property damage?
  1. Up to $1,000 or two years in prison
  2. Up to $5,000 or ten years in prison
  3. A fine only, with no possible jail time
  4. Up to $200, two years in prison, or both

Answer: Up to $200, two years in prison, or both

Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only crash carries up to a $200 fine and/or two years imprisonment.

Handbook p. 138 ↗
What is the maximum penalty for leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in a death?
  1. Up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in state prison
  2. Up to $1,000 and two years in prison
  3. Up to $200 and two years in prison
  4. A fine only, capped at $5,000

Answer: Up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in state prison

Leaving the scene of a fatal crash carries up to $5,000 and up to 10 years in state prison.

Handbook p. 138 ↗
If you witness a crash with no police present, what should you do first?
  1. Stop in your lane next to the crash
  2. Park off the road with flashers on
  3. Immediately move all vehicles involved
  4. Drive on and call 911 later

Answer: Park off the road with flashers on

Park off the road and use your emergency flashers to warn other drivers before helping.

Handbook p. 139 ↗
How far from a crash should warning flares or triangles be placed to warn approaching traffic?
  1. 50 feet in front only
  2. 10 feet behind only
  3. 200 feet or more in front of and behind the crash
  4. 100 feet in front only

Answer: 200 feet or more in front of and behind the crash

Flares or triangles should be placed 200 feet or more in front of and behind the crash.

Handbook p. 139 ↗
What is the maximum penalty for leaving the scene of a crash causing personal injury (not death)?
  1. Up to $200 and two years imprisonment
  2. Up to $5,000 and ten years imprisonment
  3. A fine only, with no jail time
  4. Up to $1,000 and up to two years imprisonment

Answer: Up to $1,000 and up to two years imprisonment

Leaving the scene of an injury crash (not resulting in death) carries up to $1,000 and two years imprisonment.

Handbook p. 138 ↗
Leaving the scene of a crash without identifying yourself is only a civil infraction in Massachusetts.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Leaving the scene is a criminal offense with potential jail time.

Handbook p. 138 ↗
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