What Is the Penalty for Hit and Run in Ireland?

Understanding Your Legal Risk — And How To Handle It

“I panicked and left the scene of the accident.” 

It’s a phrase I’ve heard many times as a road traffic solicitor in Ireland. And while it might feel true in the moment, here’s the cold, hard truth: panic is not a legal defence.

If the courts started accepting panic as a reason for leaving the scene, everyone who ever scraped a parked car would be off the hook — and that simply can’t happen.

That’s why hit and run offences are taken so seriously under Irish road traffic law.

"There is one iron rule of law:

just because you say it,

doesn’t mean a judge will believe it"

What Does “Hit and Run” Actually Mean in Ireland?

In Irish law, “hit and run” refers to leaving the scene of a road traffic collision without fulfilling your legal duties.

Whether you’ve collided with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or even private property, you are legally required to:

• Stop your vehicle

• Remain at the scene for a reasonable time

• Offer assistance if anyone is injured or appears to need it

• Provide your name, address, vehicle registration, insurance information, and the vehicle owner’s details to anyone who is entitled to receive it

• If Gardaí are not at the scene, give this information to anyone involved or to an independent witness

• Report the accident to the nearest Garda station.

These duties are laid out in Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and reinforced by An Garda Síochána’s official guidance.

Failure to comply — particularly if you leave the scene knowing someone has been injured or killed, or acting recklessly to that fact — can lead to:

• A fine of up to €20,000

• A prison sentence of up to 10 years

• Or both

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Involved in a Collision?

An Garda Síochána offers detailed advice on what to do following a road traffic accident in Ireland.

Here’s what they recommend:

Do:

• Stay calm and assess the situation

• Call emergency services on 999/112 if someone is injured or requires help

• Stop your vehicle and switch off the engine

• Turn on hazard lights and apply the handbrake

• Use a reflective warning triangle if available (except on motorways)

• Help injured persons and keep them warm

• Help ensure other people are safe

• Give your details to Gardaí, other involved parties, or witnesses

• Move vehicles out of the way only if safe to do so, and if they're obstructing traffic

Don’t:

• Panic and drive away

• Leave the scene before fulfilling your legal obligations

• Move injured persons unless absolutely necessary

• Remove helmets from motorcyclists — it could worsen neck injuries

• Allow smoking near the scene

• Give food or drink to injured persons

“But I Panicked…” The Courts Don’t Buy That

We’ve all experienced moments of panic. But in most cases, panic is internal — it doesn’t affect others. In a road traffic accident, especially one where someone might be injured, your panic can cause real harm. That’s why the law doesn’t give much weight to post-incident excuses.

If you try to tell the court months later that you fled the scene because you panicked, that story is unlikely to hold water unless you told the Gardaí at the time.

Judges often rely on what the Gardaí were told at the scene, and if your explanation wasn’t given then, it’s considered unreliable — or worse, not credible.

The Classic “I Drank After the Accident” excuse

One of the most common myths people cling to is this:

"If I say I had a drink after the accident, they won’t be able to prove I was over the limit at the time.”

That line of defence has never worked in any drink driving case I’ve seen in Ireland.

Why? Because it’s simply not believable.

There is one iron rule of law: just because you say it, doesn’t mean a judge will believe it.

Worse, if you say something that is implausible you may see the judge purse their lips and nod slowly.

This means that they have just realised that they’re being lied to.

You’re now in real danger, the legal equivalent of ‘crocodile infested’ waters if you will.

Remember, judges have wide discretion. They don’t like jailing people but if they get the feeling that someone is lying to them, disqualification from driving is the least of your worries: you’ve got to avoid jail now.

Imagine you’ve just been in a crash. Are you really going to rummage through your boot for a bottle of vodka and start drinking?

No. You’d be calling for help, tending to injuries, or at the very least sitting in shock.

The courts know this — they’ve heard it all before.

Even if you did take a drink, the burden would be on you to prove — through independent forensic evidence — that your blood alcohol level at the time of driving was under the legal limit. That's a high bar few can meet.

"Worse, if you say something implausible

you may see the judge purse their lips and nod slowly.

This means that they have just realised

that they’re being lied to.

You’re now in real danger,

the legal equivalent of ‘crocodile infested’ waters" if you will

What Happens If You Plead Guilty to Hit and Run in Ireland?

Contrary to popular belief, pleading guilty doesn’t always mean you’ll be disqualified from driving.

In fact, under Section 106, the judge has discretion. If nobody was injured and the damage was minor (e.g. a scrape in a car park), you may avoid a driving ban — especially if:

• You have no prior convictions

• You were fully insured

• You cooperated with Gardaí

• You made full restitution to the other party

• You’ve shown genuine remorse backed by actions

But if someone was injured, that changes everything. In those cases, courts are far more likely to impose disqualification — and very likely a prison sentence too.

How to Make a Positive Impression in Court

Judges see through fake tears and hollow apologies. What makes a difference?

Tangible, sincere action. 

That means:

• Paying for the damage

• Writing a formal apology

• Attending a safe driving course

• Cooperating fully with Garda investigations

These aren’t just gestures — they show that you take your responsibilities seriously.

Final Thoughts: Hit and Run Cases Are Serious — But Not Hopeless

Accidents happen. What matters most is what you do next.

If you've left the scene of an accident in Ireland, your next steps are crucial.

Don’t rely on excuses or ask Google for help.

Speak to an experienced road traffic solicitor who knows how to handle these cases.

Every hit and run case is different. But one thing remains true: actions speak louder than words. So if you're going to ask a judge for leniency, make sure you’ve earned it.

Remember, its often the choice between going off the road or driving home.