New Hampshire
State pushes to spend $500,000 to address distracted driving • New Hampshire Bulletin
The New Hampshire Department of Safety is seeking to spend nearly $500,000 in federal money to raise awareness of distracted driving and increase the number of State Police patrols on highways.
The request, approved by the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee Friday, would tap into a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to combat distracted driving, according to the department.
The money would help to promote “the visibility of law enforcement in New Hampshire roads,” an explanation from the department reads. And it would also help the state fund media campaigns addressing the issue.
In New Hampshire distracted driving was listed as the primary causation of 42 fatal crashes from 2014 to 2020, according to the department’s Office of Highway Safety. In 2021, distracted driving and inattention contributed to 15 percent of total crashes, the department said this year.
But department officials say the actual influence of distracted driving is likely higher than the state’s figures. Often, drivers in crashes are reluctant to admit that they were distracted, and investigators are not always able to discern from the crash scene whether it was a factor, according to the department’s 2021 Highway Safety Plan. New Hampshire law bars police and investigators from getting evidence by seizing drivers’ phones and other electronic devices without a warrant.
“… Non-fatal crash data and distracted driving fatality data may be underreported as there are many crashes that occur on New Hampshire roads with no other reason or explanation for the crash other than the vehicle left on the road,” Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn wrote to the Fiscal Committee.
“Some of those crashes have occurred on a straight road, and on a clear summer day with no explanation of how the crash occurred.”
The funding request moves next to the Executive Council for approval.
New Hampshire
Missing Berlin Motorcyclist Found Dead After Route 2 Crash: New Hampshire State Police Roundup
06/19/2026 02:16, EAST KINGSTON, BOLDUC, NATHAN RICHARD (22); ASHFORD, CONNECTICUT, 635:1,I (BURGLARY-NIGHT / HOME / WEAPON), 635:1,V (BURGLARY TOOLS-POSSESSION), 637:7 (RECV STOLEN PROP; $1501+), 637:7 (RECV STOLEN PROP; $1501+), 634:2,II (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF).
06/15/2026 19:49, RAYMOND, KETCHEN, DANA CANNEY (63); BROOKLINE, 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 264:25 (CONDUCT AFTER ACCIDENT), 265-A:2,I(B) (DUI; ADULT>.08; MINOR>.02), 172-B:3 (PROTECTIVE CUSTODY-ALCOHOL), 265-A:44 (TRANSPORTING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR MARIJUANA).
06/15/2026 21:05, GILFORD, SEXTON, JALEN R. (26); ALTON, 263:64,VI (DRIVE AFTER REV/SUS-SUBSQT), 263:64,IV (DRIVE AFTER REVOCATION/SUSPENSION; RECKLESS DRIVING), 263:1,II (LICENSE REQD; OP W/EXPIRED LICENSE W/IN 12 MONTHS OF EXPIRATION), 265:60 (SPEEDING 25 MPH OVER LIMIT OF 55 OR LESS).
06/16/2026 02:40, PORTSMOUTH, LANE, MICHAEL CORY (29); HUBBARDSTON, MA, 631:3 (RECKLESS CONDUCT), 265-A:2,I(A) (DUI-IMPAIRMENT), 265:79,I (RECKLESS OPERATION).
06/16/2026 17:16, GILFORD, COSTARELLI, ROBERT L. (55); EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA, 631:2-B,I(A) (DV; SIMPLE ASSAULT; BODILY INJURY OR PHYSICAL CONTACT), 634:2,III (CRIMINAL MISCHIEF).
New Hampshire
Concord City Manager Receives ‘Satisfactory’ Review, 2.5% Raise, But Sabbatical Request Gets Trimmed
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
-
Kentucky22 seconds agoDrafted by Reds, Matt Ponatoski enrolls at University of Kentucky
-
Louisiana6 minutes agoNew Louisiana waterway cleanup initiative aims to start in September
-
Maine12 minutes ago“I’m Ashamed of My Country”: Biddeford, Maine Locals Grieve Neighbor Killed by ICE
-
Maryland18 minutes agoMaryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning in October
-
Michigan24 minutes agoUniversity of Michigan’s David C. Miller chosen to succeed Jeff Balser as Vanderbilt Health’s President and CEO and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
-
Massachusetts30 minutes agoMassachusetts Broadband Institute distributes devices to underserved communities
-
Minnesota36 minutes agoSmoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Canada exposes millions to dangerous air quality
-
Mississippi42 minutes agoHow permanent daylight saving time would impact Mississippi
