Route 125: Nearly 5,000 crashes in 9 years. NH police step up patrols.

Staff report
Updated ·2 min read

New Hampshire state and local police will step up patrols this summer along Route 125 from Plaistow to Milton in an effort to combat dangerous driving.

The nearly 50-mile stretch extends northward from the border of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and passes through the New Hampshire communities of Plaistow, Kingston, Brentwood, Epping, Lee, Barrington, Rochester and Milton.

The New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety announced Wednesday local police departments, the Rockingham County and Strafford County Sheriff’s offices and New Hampshire State Police, will take part in the patrols with the goal of reducing the number of deaths, injuries and crashes along the heavily traveled stretch of road.

A fatal accident that occurred on Sept. 10, 2022, at the intersection of Route 125 and South Road in Brentwood had town residents calling for a traffic light at the intersection of South Road and Route 125. Police announced this week they will be stepping up patrols on the 50-mile stretch that extends from Massachusetts to New Hampshire.
A fatal accident that occurred on Sept. 10, 2022, at the intersection of Route 125 and South Road in Brentwood had town residents calling for a traffic light at the intersection of South Road and Route 125. Police announced this week they will be stepping up patrols on the 50-mile stretch that extends from Massachusetts to New Hampshire.

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How dangerous is Route 125? Crash data explains need for safety

There have been 4,893 crashes were recorded on the Route 125 corridor over the past nine years, according to data compiled by the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety. Many of the crashes resulted in serious injuries or deaths, police said, though fatality data was not provided. In some instances, police said, driver impairment was a factor.

“Everyone who is going to consume alcohol should make a plan to get home safely ahead of time,” said State Police Lt. Keith Walker. “Additionally, drivers should wear their seatbelts, obey posted speed limits, refrain from the use of electronic devices and have respect for others on the road.”

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What is plan for patrols on Route 125 and how are they being funded?

Drivers should expect to see continuous increased enforcement efforts between now and September.

The additional patrols are funded through grants from the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety and will target impairment, aggressive and distracted driving and speeding. The grants provide reimbursement of additional patrols in areas of the state that are most heavily traveled and where crashes frequently occur.

“Although these enforcement patrols are targeting motor vehicle violations, the overall goal is to reduce crashes and have drivers arrive at their destinations safely,” said Epping Police Chief Michael Wallace.

“Our goal is to create a safe environment for residents and visitors traveling through Lee by utilizing enhanced enforcement made possible with funding from the Office of Highway Safety,” said Lee Police Chief Thomas C. Dronsfield Jr.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Route 125: Police add patrols after thousands of car crashes