New Hampshire’s roads should be safe for every driver, passenger, and pedestrian. Yet, in 2024, we lost 135 lives to motor vehicle crashes—heartbreaking tragedies often tied to impaired driving, reckless speeding, and distraction. As a member of Governor Kelly Ayotte’s Special Task Force on Highway Safety, I’m committed to turning the tide. Our April 4, 2025, meeting at the NH Fire Academy in Concord was a powerful step forward, uniting leaders from law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and advocates to confront these challenges head-on.
One staggering issue we tackled is the 70% refusal rate for DWI breath tests. This loophole undermines law enforcement’s ability to secure evidence and hold offenders accountable. We explored legislation to close it, like extending license suspensions for first-time refusals from 6 months to a full year and hiking fines for reckless driving—$750 and a 90-day suspension for speeding over 100 mph. These aren’t just penalties; they’re deterrents to save lives.
Education is our foundation. Programs like “Just One Night” have proven effective in teaching teens the dangers of impaired driving. We discussed amplifying these efforts with social media campaigns, AAA public service ads, and school partnerships. Imagine DOT billboards flashing hard-hitting messages about safe driving—that’s the kind of bold outreach we’re planning.
Training is equally critical. We’re rolling out May sessions with mock trials to sharpen prosecutors’ and officers’ skills on DWI and Administrative License Suspension cases. Quarterly judge training and community forums will ensure our justice system enforces the law’s intent, not just its letter.
Beth Shaw, a victim advocate, shared a gut-wrenching perspective, urging tougher laws and better support for victims navigating the courts and parole process. Her words hit home: we must strengthen penalties and tighten the system at every step. From reviewing out-of-state conviction policies to incentivizing breath tests, our subcommittees will dig into these issues to craft solutions that work.
This task force isn’t just about policy—it’s about people. It’s about the families who’ve lost loved ones and the communities counting on us to act. I’m all in to make New Hampshire’s roads safer, and I invite you to join us in this mission. Together, we can drive change that lasts.
