100-Plus MPH Becoming Dangerous Trend

Nov. 30--When state troopers charged a Rhode Island man with reckless driving on Saturday, it was the latest example of what police say they are seeing regularly on New Hampshire highways -- drivers reaching speeds of 100 mph or more. Much more.

New Hampshire State Police arrested 19-year-old Ryan Quinn, who allegedly was traveling at 127 mph through Northfield on Interstate 93. Quinn was charged with reckless driving and two counts of possession of a controlled drug.

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 N.H. State Police Lt. Jerome A. Maslan. "At times, it seems like at least one a week."

Earlier this month, a 16-year-old girl with no driver's license raced south for miles in the northbound lanes of Interstate 93, traveling at speeds reaching 118 mph and refusing to pull over for police. After she ran over spike strips, her ride was over.

In September, state police arrested two motorcyclists, Rembert Zambrana, 34, and Erin Crete, 31, of Litchfield after they were seen driving 125 mph in a 55 mph zone. The arrest was made on I-93 coming off Route 101. Both were charged with reckless driving.

In 2013, Edwin Barbosa, 44, of Stoneham, Mass., was clocked driving 152 mph in a 65 mph on I-93 in New Hampton. A rider was killed in Northfield in 2012 while traveling 146 mph.

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 Department of Safety statistics.

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.

N.H. State Police Capt. John LeLacheur, recently retired, said troopers are stopping drivers daily for driving between 90 and 100 mph.

"We're seeing speeds increasing," said Capt. LeLacheur. "I don't know why they are driving at these speeds, but they push the limit."

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 Hooksett, Hunt said. When state police attempted to stop Eric Smith of Concord, he sped away and was clocked at 84 mph as he fled, with a woman and two children, ages 6 and 8, also in the vehicle.

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. Chris Aucoin said he is seeing more and more instances of motorcycle drivers clocked at speeds over 100 mph.

"I don't know if it's because the bikes are sleeker, or more high-powered, but more of them are going faster," said Maj. Aucoin. "There are a lot of fuel-injected and turbo bikes available. And it's different than going that fast in a car. There's less protection around you if you are in an accident."

Taking action

Earlier this year, state legislators passed SB 246, categorizing driving a vehicle at speeds of 100 mph or greater as reckless driving. The Department of Safety requested the bill, based on an uptick in reports of excessive speed from troopers across the state.

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 New Hampshire. That number climbed to 21 percent in 2011, and 26 percent in 2013, the most recent year data was available.

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 $500 fine and includes a 60-day license revocation. A second offense results in a $750 fine and a loss of license for between 60 days and one year. Convicted drivers receive six demerit points on their motor vehicle record. Points stay on a driver's record for five years, and receiving demerit points can result in higher automobile insurance rates. A driver can also be classified as a habitual offender, resulting in jail time.

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 New Hampshire, the highest in five years. The fatalities included 24 motorcyclists, according to Department of Safety statistics.

[email protected]

------

___

(c)2014 The New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.)

Visit The New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.) at www.unionleader.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC