Fatal crashes in N.H. similar to last year but motorcycle deaths fell sharply

GEOFF FORESTER

By DAVID BROOKS

Monitor staff

Published: 01-02-2025 11:53 AM

New Hampshire’s highways didn’t get any safer in 2024 but at least they didn’t get deadlier, judging from year-end data about fatal accidents – with one sad exception.

The number of drivers under the age of 21 who were killed on state roads last year was more than triple that of the year before. Through Dec. 23, according to state police, 10 young drivers had died on our highways in 2024 compared to 3 in all of 2023. 

Otherwise, the results of 2024 look very similar to those of a year ago: 120 fatal crashes compared to 119 in 2023 with 134 total deaths compared to 127 in 2023. 

That’s a disappointment to state police who have tried for years to reduce highway fatalities, including the operation of a “zero-tolerance zone” along I-95 during Thanksgiving following several serious accidents. Even if nothing bad happens on the last week of the year, 2024 will be the fifth-deadliest year for New Hampshire highways in the past dozen years, with one-third more deaths than we saw in 2019.

One pleasant surprise involved motorcycles, which saw a sharp decline in fatal crashes: 33 operators and passengers died this year compared to 40 last year. That is a surprise because motorcycle-accident deaths had risen for four straight years, making 2023’s tally the worst on record, and seemed to be continuing at a record pace during the first half of 2024.

The improvement might reflect helmet usage: Just 18 operators and riders who weren’t wearing helmets have died this year compared to 31 in 2023.

Four bicyclists, all adults, were killed when hit by vehicles in 2024, compared to just one in 2023.

Twelve pedestrians, all adults, were killed when hit by vehicles in 2024 compared to 15 in 2023. 

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David Brooks can be reched at dbrooks@cmonitor.com

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