During New Year’s Eve celebrations, keep road safety in mind

LACONIA — While some ring in the new year in style, some drivers make the roads dangerous for all.  

New Year’s Eve, during the final hours of the old year and the nascent hours of the next, is a particularly hazardous period for motorists, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Thousands died in drunk-driving wrecks in the winters between 2019 and 2023, and more than 1,000 in December 2023 alone. It’s the late hours of the night, when people leave parties and bars and head home, that prove the most perilous.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement campaign began on Dec. 12, and runs through New Year’s Day. Local officers are participating, and will remain visible this year to encourage safe driving, Police Chief Matt Canfield said. 

“If you’re going to celebrate New Year’s, do so safely,” he said.

That includes practicing the safe consumption of alcohol. If you’re going to drink over the holiday, make sure to have a designated driver, or use a ride share or taxi service, or simply stay put.

The NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign coordinates vigilance and deterrence among law enforcement agencies across the country. The high visibility enforcement and advertising campaign will also run on television, radio, and digital platforms like social media.

“We’re tied into that entire highway safety process here in New Hampshire,” Sheriff Bill Wright said. His deputies will be conducting targeted motor vehicle enforcement. “You’ll see an increased presence of our deputies.”

Driver safety aside, Wright said there’s other safety considerations that should be observed over the holiday. 

“There’s more to it than just DWIs.”

Things like domestic violence, for example, tend to increase during holidays. There are also more opportunities for soft targets, when people congregate in large groups at parties or events, and Wright recommends people remain vigilant and behave responsibly.

“Have a good time, and arrive alive,” Wright said.

Alcohol-impaired driving is a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holiday season, according to NHTSA. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, about one-third of all traffic fatalities. Men ages 21-34 made up the largest proportion of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes; one person died every 42 minutes.

“We are encouraged that deaths on our nation’s roads continue to decline significantly,” NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said. “Under Secretary [Sean] Duffy, we have strengthened our partnership with law enforcement, as they are critical to pulling dangerous drivers off the road and reducing the number of lives lost. This holiday season, we encourage everyone to plan ahead for a sober ride and do their part to help make our roads safe for Americans.”

The New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety also reminds residents and visitors the best celebrations start and end with smart choices behind the wheel.

Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of deadly crashes on New Hampshire roadways. In 2023, impairment was reported as a factor in nearly 70% of crashes that resulted in death.

“Start the new year with the right choice: a safe ride home,” State Police Lt. Christopher Storm, commander of the office of highway safety, said in a release. “Don’t wait until midnight to figure out how you’re getting back. If alcohol or drugs will be part of your celebration, make a plan now for a sober ride. Whether it’s a designated driver, a rideshare, a taxi, or staying overnight, every option is better than putting lives at risk.”

From 2019 to 2024, 191 people were arrested for drunk driving, and more than 700 non-fatal crashes were reported statewide during the New Year’s holiday period, according to data from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. One person was killed during the New Year’s period in 2022. This year, 134 people have been killed in 126 crashes so far in the Granite State.

New estimates from NHTSA suggest road fatalities are falling, by about 6.4% compared to the same period in 2024, though Americans collectively drove 25 billion more miles. The fatality rate for the first nine months in 2025 decreased to 1.1 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the anticipated 1.19 rate from the same period in 2024. From January to September 2025, NHTSA estimated 27,365 people died in traffic crashes, compared to 29,245 fatalities projected for the same months in 2024.

At Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid, dispatchers are working hard with high call volume, largely due to recent winter storms, according to a Facebook post. 

“Coffee is being respected. Buttons are being pushed at high speed. Spirits remain high,” the post reads, in part. 

It’s recommended that drivers slow down, increase following distance and avoid unnecessary travel if possible. Report road hazards immediately. 

Impaired driving is illegal in New Hampshire and has severe consequences. DWI offenses can cost drivers $10,000 or more in fines and fees, the loss of their license, jail time, or their life and others' lives. Anyone who sees a potential impaired driver on the road should call 911 immediately. Learn more about the impacts of impaired driving at highwaysafety.dos.nh.gov/safety-programs-tips/impaired-driving.