Ontario’s York Region has seen more than 20 false or misleading collisions since March, police say

More than 20 “false or misleading collision-related incidents” have been reported to police officers at the Collision Reporting Centre in Richmond Hill, Ont. since March, York Regional Police (YRP) said on Monday.

“In most of the cases, the person reporting the collision advised police their vehicle had been struck in a parking lot while left unattended and the person who struck their vehicle did not remain to provide any information,” the YRP said in a press release. “In these cases, officers were able to determine the damage sustained to the vehicle was caused while the vehicle was in motion and inconsistent with the report provided.”

The release added that in some of the investigations, once confronted by police about the inconsistencies, the person reporting the collision then provided a truthful account of what actually took place. “And in some cases said they were advised by their repair shop to report the collision as a hit and run in order to favourably reduce insurance policy deductibles.”

Police are advising the public that falsely reporting a collision, no matter how minor, is a criminal offence. Criminal charges can include public mischief, obstructing police, fraud and failure to remain.

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act makes it mandatory for all drivers to report a collision where the combined damage to vehicles exceeds $1,000. Regardless of the nature of the collision, it is the law that drivers must provide information to one another.

The YRP added that police should be contacted immediately if the collision involves:

• Danger to motorists at the scene of the collision;

• Personal injury;

• Any criminal activity, such as impaired driving or stolen vehicles;

• A government vehicle of any kind;

• A vehicle which is transporting dangerous goods;

• Damage to third-party property, such as a parked car where the owner is not at the scene;

• Damage to private, municipal or highway property;

• A pedestrian or cyclist; or

• An uncooperative driver