I’ve made it a priority to tackle issues that directly impact the safety and well-being of Granite Staters. One pressing concern that’s been on my radar is the alarming rise in highway fatalities, especially among our young people. Last month, I took action by hosting a roundtable with state officials and advocates to address this crisis head-on—focusing on enforcement of drunken and drugged driving laws and exploring ways to make our roads safer. I’m thrilled to see that effort now bearing fruit with Governor Kelly Ayotte’s creation of a new Highway Safety Task Force.

The Union Leader captured the momentum in a recent update:

“Ayotte forms highway task force at Stephen’s urging

Last month, Stephen drew a large audience of state officials and advocates to a roundtable to deal with the rising number of highway fatalities especially among young people and to examine whether the state’s drunken and drugged driving law was being vigorously enforced.

Ayotte sent her team to the meeting and it persuaded her to create a 34-person Highway Safety Task Force that will be led by Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Formella.

‘I look forward to reviewing the Task Force’s recommendations to address issues like speeding, distracted driving, and wrong-way driving incidents to make our roads safer for Granite Staters,’ Ayotte said in a statement.

‘We’re going to get right down to work and hope in the next two months to come up with some draft recommendations,’ said Stephen, a former deputy safety commissioner who was once in charge of the state’s highway safety management team.”

Source: Union Leader, State House Dome March 29, 2025, Kevin Landrigan

This task force, led by Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Attorney General John Formella, is a direct response to the urgency I’ve been pushing for. With 34 members bringing diverse perspectives, we’re poised to tackle critical issues like speeding, distracted driving, and wrong-way incidents—problems that have claimed too many lives on our highways. My experience as a former deputy safety commissioner and leader of the state’s highway safety management team fuels my determination to see this through.

I’m encouraged by Governor Ayotte’s commitment and her team’s engagement at the roundtable. Now, the real work begins. Our goal is to deliver draft recommendations within the next two months—practical, actionable steps to save lives and protect our communities. Whether it’s stronger enforcement of impaired driving laws or new strategies to curb reckless behavior, I’m all in for solutions that work.

New Hampshire’s roads should be safe for everyone—our kids, our families, our neighbors. As your Councilor, I’ll keep pushing this effort forward and welcome your input on how we can make that a reality. Let’s work together to keep our highways safe!