Hit-and-run crashes have become commonplace in Florida.

So common, in fact, that the Florida Highway Patrol is trying to raise awareness to the statewide problem.

The number of hit-and-run crashes has increased across the state, according to Highway Patrol. 

About 77,000 drivers fled crash sites across the state in 2013. That number jumped up to about 84,000 in 2014 about one in every four crashes, according to the FHP website: Hit & Run - Bad to Worse. From 2012 to 2014, the state classified 235,666 crashes as hit-and-runs.

In 2014, the Bay area saw a little more than 10,000 crashes classified as hit-and-runs, according to Highway Patrol statistics. Of those crashes, 33 were fatal.

Family members of some of those 33 victims appeared at the Florida Highway Patrol headquarters in Tampa Monday while the agency announced its efforts to lower those numbers.

As part of Highway Patrol's awareness plan, the agency is pushing for new sentencing guidelines for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury or death - including the loss of driver's license for the guilty driver. The new guidelines also would call for a minimum mandatory sentence of four years in prison.

"If you leave the scene you have just compounded it and made it a criminal action," FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said. "Especially if someone is injured or killed, you are looking at felony prison time at that point."

While no specific reason was given for the rise in hit-and-runs, speculation is that most drivers who flee are either under the influence or have a suspended license.

Now, the agency is bringing attention to the issue, hoping relatives of hit-and-run victims will help change behavior.

Just this morning, troopers were busy with a hit-and-run crash involving a school bus in the Brandon-area. There were no injuries and no students were on the bus.

The FHP will partner with local agencies, including the Florida Sheriff's and Police Chiefs associations, the Florida Department of Transportation and Students Against Destructive Decisions.