Leaving the scene of a collision without exchanging information seems like a hit and run, but when the driver then reports it directly to the police, there may be more to the story.

A minor collision last Monday, February 11, resulted in a driver leaving the scene of the accident... and driving straight to the police station.

Deputy Chief Rod Stafford with the Weyburn Police Service explains.

“They were a little worried because of the attitude of one of the other people involved with the other vehicle,” said Stafford. “There was no complaint of threats or no complaint of an assault having occurred, but this person exercised their discretion and removed themselves from the situation totally and came to the police station, which if they do that, is fine.”

He said if they hadn’t gone to the police station or if they refused to give their name out of fear of retaliation, that wouldn't be in compliance with the Traffic Safety Act.

“That could then land that person afoul of the law for failing to remain or failing to provide information to the other driver,” he said.

Stafford suggests if you're fearful, either remove yourself from the situation or lock yourself in your vehicle and call the police.

“What this person did was remove themselves from the situation and come down to the police station and report it,” he said. “What we don't want is people getting into a road rage, as it were, because of a collision, but recognizing that they do have the legal requirement to provide information either to the police or to the other party.”

The Traffic Safety Act requires an insurance information exchange.