NH Safety Aims for Crash-Free Memorial Day

Public Safety leaders do not want a repeat of last year's Memorial Day weekend, when there were 12 crashes and one death caused by drug- or alcohol-impaired driving.

New Hampshire State Police and local law enforcement will be combing the roadways for impaired drivers this holiday weekend to achieve some better statistics.

The New Hampshire Driving Toward Zero Coalition (NHDTZ) , a collaborative effort of both public and private organizations whose mission is to create a culture of safety on New Hampshire roadways, is urging people to plan ahead, be prepared and pay attention while traveling.

According to AAA, 36 million people will be traveling this Memorial Day Weekend - 88 percent will travel by vehicle. In New Hampshire, Memorial Day weekend typically marks the beginning of the busy summer tourist season and traffic volume on the state's highways is expected to be heavy. New Hampshire State Police and AAA Northern New England, members of the NHDTZ Coalition, remind people to travel and celebrate safely this holiday weekend.

"There will be a lot more vehicles on New Hampshire roadways this weekend," said Colonel Robert Quinn, New Hampshire State Police. "We understand that people are excited for the three-day weekend and the summer season, which is why we urge people to plan ahead, celebrate safely, pay attention to the roadway and your surroundings and simply slow down. We want people to have fun, and we want them to be safe."

The NHDTZ Coalition's tips for safe Memorial Day weekend:

Tips for a Safe Road Trip:

• Prepare your vehicle for your summer travel: Check tires, battery, fluids, wipers, belts & hoses, and prepare for a possible breakdown.

• Visibility – Scan the roadway and adjust your mirrors to reduce blind spots.

• Time – Manage a safe speed and distance to the front and rear of vehicles around you to allow yourself time to react.

• Space- Lane choice is important to allow for an escape route should something happen. Give extra space to large trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.

• Prepare yourself and passengers for a crash- Buckle up and restrain children and pets properly. Stow potential projectiles in the trunk.

Tips to Celebrate Safely:

• If you plan on drinking, leave your car keys at home.

• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.

• Use a community sober ride program, if available.

• If you can’t find a safe ride or you choose to walk home, remember that walking impaired can be just as dangerous as driving.  Ask a sober friend to walk you home.

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1. You could save a life.

• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride with someone who is impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. If a friend is drunk and wants to drive, intervene and take the keys away if you have to.