In response to a significant increase in roadway fatalities and accidents, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has established a Highway Safety Task Force. The initiative aims to address the alarming rise in motor vehicle incidents across the state.
According to the governor's office, 135 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2024, with many incidents involving alcohol or drugs. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) identified impairment, speeding and distracted driving as the primary contributors to these serious accidents.
The task force will be led by Robert Quinn, department of safety commissioner Robert Quinn and John Formella, attorney general. Their mandate includes analyzing accident data to identify patterns and risks, reviewing current laws and enforcement practices and developing recommendations to enhance highway safety.
The task force will collaborate with local leaders, community advocates, traffic engineers, and law enforcement agencies to formulate comprehensive strategies.
Gov. Ayotte emphasized the urgency of the initiative in a statement.
"It’s critical that we ensure drivers are safe on our highways and stop these accidents before they happen,” she said. “Every fatal crash is more than just a statistic—it’s a life lost, a family shattered, and a community forever changed."
The formation of this task force underscores New Hampshire's commitment to improving road safety and reducing preventable accidents through targeted policy recommendations and enhanced enforcement measures, according to NHDOT.
Source: WZID.com, Mychamplainvalley.com
