100-Plus MPH Becoming Dangerous Trend
By Paul Feely, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester |
Police say they are regularly encountering drivers who ignore any speed limit.
"I'm not sure I could tell you why, but it does seem to be happening more frequently," said
Earlier this month, a 16-year-old girl with no driver's license raced south for miles in the northbound lanes of
In September, state police arrested two motorcyclists,
In 2013,
In 2012, there were 135 crash-related deaths in <location idsrc="xmltag.org" value="LS/us.nh">New Hampshire, the highest in five years. The fatalities included 24 motorcyclists, according to
Driving faster than 100 mph is classified as reckless driving, and anyone pulled over going that fast will likely face a large fine and mandatory loss of license.
"We're seeing speeds increasing," said
LeLacheur said the use of state police aircraft has helped track down drivers traveling at the most excessive speeds.
"The use of single-engine Cessna aircraft for speed enforcement enabled us to target the 'high flyers,' many of whom were clocked at speeds in excess of 90 or 100 miles per hour, and enable ground units to pull them over without the necessity of dangerous high-speed pursuits," said LeLacheur.
The air patrol helped nab a speeding motorist Monday in
A state police aircraft survey conducted three years ago showed that 9 percent of the drivers stopped for speeding were traveling more than 90 mph.
State Police Maj.
"I don't know if it's because the bikes are sleeker, or more high-powered, but more of them are going faster," said
Taking action
Earlier this year, state legislators passed SB 246, categorizing driving a vehicle at speeds of 100 mph or greater as reckless driving.
According to statistics provided this week by Lt. Maslan, in 2003, speed was cited as the main cause in 10 percent of fatal crashes in
Before the new law passed, the penalty for going 100 mph or more varied by court and judge. Under the new law, all drivers face the same minimum punishments.
A reckless driving charge carries a minimum
As defined in RSA 626:2, II(c), reckless driving is "being aware of and consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk will result from one's actions." Based on RSA 265:79, the charge also covers driving that puts the lives or safety of the public in danger. It can include a bet, wager or race between drivers, or someone who is trying to set a record.
According to state police statistics, in 2012, nine percent of drivers stopped for speeding were driving in excess of 90 mph.
In 2012, there were 135 crash-related deaths in
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