Police to 'Do Whatever We Can' to Stop Thanksgiving Deaths

BEDFORD – The number of Granite State traffic fatalities hit a 20-year low in 2011, but that number has been steadily rising the last two years, which has prompted New Hampshire State Police and the New Hampshire Association of Police Chiefs to join forces in an effort to curb the recent spike in deaths.

There were 90 victims of crashes in 2011, but 108 in 2012, according to data supplied by state police. Fifty of those deaths are directly attributed to alcohol- and/or drug-related accidents.

Tuesday a number of NH Troopers, including Colonel Robert Quinn, held a press conference at Troop B headquarters in Bedford. They were accompanied by Kensington Police Chief Michael J. Sielicki, who heads the NH Association of Chiefs, to deliver a clear message to drivers who will be driving impaired, distracted and/or too fast this Thanksgiving weekend.

"We're going to see more cars on our highways than any other weekend ... We want to do everything we can to prevent any loss of life on our highways," said Quinn. "If you are driving impaired, you are going to get apprehended."

Additional patrols will be added over the weekend, but Quinn said police need the publics help. He encouraged anyone who witnesses reckless or dangerous driving to call 911.

"Nobody wants to be that next number," said Quinn.