OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State Patrol announced a new Hit-and-Run Alert system that began operating on Tuesday.

The system uses cooperation between state, local and tribal law agencies along with WSDOT to better identify and track down fleeing vehicles.

For the new alert to be activated, the hit and run collision has to result in a serious injury or death.

They also have to have enough descriptive information to locate the vehicle, like a license plate or the direction it is headed.

The alerts will be sent out to media outlets and posted on social media as well.

State Patrol is urging drivers to call 911 and report their location if they see a suspect vehicle under the alert and to not engage with it.

Washington saw over 300 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in a serious injury or death last year.