If I drive through a pit, do I die?
Yes, if you drive over a pit, gravity wins.

This is a game, not a cartoon.

This is mentioned in the rules page 8. 


  Destruction: A robot is destroyed when: 
  
  
  It receives its tenth Damage token.  OR 
  It moves or is moved into a pit.  OR 
  It moves or is moved oﬀ the edge of the board.
  


In the original version, there where pits that could be opened and closed, not sure if they still exist. But these where safe when closed but deadly when open.