What Are the Deadliest Types of Roads in New Hampshire?
Car accidents in New Hampshire occur more often on certain types of roads. According to a recent nationwide traffic study, state highways in New Hampshire have significantly more accidents than other types of roads. In fact, the car accident fatality rate for New Hampshire state highways is among the top 10 nationwide.
Crashes are common on state highways in New Hampshire
Traffic safety experts at MoneyGeek conducted a study comparing car accident fatality rates on various types of roads across every state. This study drew from car accident data collected between 2019 and 2021 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The findings from this study revealed that New Hampshire ranked 8th highest in terms of car accident fatality rates for state highways when compared to all other states in the country. MoneyGeek defined state highways as "high-speed roadways owned and maintained by the state." Specifically, the study showed that 48 percent of New Hampshire's car accident fatalities from 2019 to 2021 occurred on these state highways.
Accidents on other types of roads
In addition to state highways, the MoneyGeek study also examined accident data for four other categories of roads and highways in each state. In New Hampshire, the car accident fatality rates for these road types during the period from 2019 to 2021 were as follows:
- 6 percent of car accident fatalities occurred on local streets, which are characterized by speed limits ranging from 20 to 45 mph.
- Another 6 percent occurred on U.S. highways, which are high-speed roads maintained by the federal government.
- No car accident fatalities were recorded on county roads, which are typically maintained by a town or municipality.
- 9 percent of car accident deaths happened on interstate highways, which are high-speed roads designed to connect state-to-state traffic, such as I-95 in New Hampshire.
Contributing factors to New Hampshire car accidents
Several contributing factors frequently play a role in many car accidents. According to data collected by the NHTSA and the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, the most common causes of car accidents in the state include:
- Drunk driving (48 percent of car accident fatalities): Driving under the influence of alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Alcohol impairs a driver's ability to make quick decisions, stay focused on the road, and react to unexpected situations. This significantly increases the risk of accidents, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
- Speeding (33 percent of car accident fatalities): Driving at a reckless speed reduces the driver's ability to react to obstacles or sudden changes in traffic conditions. It extends the braking distance, making stopping in time to avoid collisions more challenging. Excessive speed also increases the severity of accidents, resulting in more severe injuries or fatalities.
- Distracted driving (at least 5.9 percent of car accident deaths): Distracted driving involves activities that divert a driver's attention from the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, or using in-car entertainment systems. These distractions take the driver's focus away from the task of driving, leading to delayed reactions and impaired decision-making, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Seeking legal help after a serious crash
If you were injured in a New Hampshire crash due to someone else's negligence, it's crucial to understand your potential legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses, and a car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
At Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller & Durkin, P.A., our attorneys have been fighting for New Hampshire's injured for over 150 years. Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We can meet with you in one of our offices in Dover or Portsmouth or another location that's convenient for you.
