‘The speed limit is not a target’ say police as figures reveal scale of hit and runs in Bedfordshire

Figures, obtained by Lawyers Direct through a Freedom of Information request, revealed 4,316 hit-and-run incidents were recorded across the whole of the county between 2023 and 2025.

Inspector Rachael Foy from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit said: “Most serious injuries on our roads are entirely preventable. Speed, distraction, drink or drugs and failing to look properly are recurring factors in collisions we attend. It is imperative that any collision that does take place is reported immediately to police."

She told drivers: “The speed limit is not a target, and drivers must always be able to stop in the distance they can see to be clear. At the same time, pedestrians and cyclists can greatly improve their safety by staying visible and following Highway Code guidance. By staying alert and considering risk factors, all road users can work together to help keep our roads safe.”

In Luton alone, there were 1,719, which is 39 per cent of the total for Bedfordshire. Of these, 43 were deemed to be serious.

Bedford recorded 1,018 total hit and runs, making up 24 per cent of the county's total.

Over in Central Bedfordshire, hit-and-runs accounted for 37 per cent of the county's total, logging 1,579 crashes across the three years.

Central Bedfordshire was the only council to record fatal hit-and-runs, with one death in 2023 and another in 2025.

Councillor John Baker said: “Over the past year, our Road Safety Education Team has been out in communities, schools, colleges and workplaces, delivering vital road safety messages to more people than ever before.

“From interactive sessions in classrooms to engaging community events and immersive VR experiences, the team’s hard work means lifesaving road safety education is reaching thousands across Central Bedfordshire. The scale of engagement shows just how committed the team is to protecting everyone who uses our roads.”