Transportation (Traffic Safety) in New Hampshire

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 618: relative to the penalties for repeat speeding offenders.

SB 618 requires drivers with repeated speeding violations - such as those suspended for excessive speeding (over 100 mph on highways or 50+ mph over limits on other roads) or multiple tickets - to install a GPS-based speed-limiting device (called an "intelligent speed assistance" or ISA device) as a condition for regaining their driver’s license. The device must actively prevent speeding by restricting vehicle speed to posted limits and cannot be tampered with, with data shared only under strict court or legal requirements. Offenders must pay for the device unless they qualify for affordability programs (e.g., low-income status via TANF, SNAP, or 150% of federal poverty level), and the device must remain active for at least 12 months after license reinstatement. This bill directly affects repeat speeding offenders in New Hampshire, focusing on behavioral correction through technology rather than new fines or jail time.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1686: relative to establishing an intelligent speed assistance program as an alternative to license suspension for certain motor vehicle offenses.

HB 1686 creates a program requiring drivers convicted of speeding over 100 mph (RSA 265:79) or habitual offenders with conditional driving privileges (RSA 259:39) to install speed-limiting devices on their vehicles instead of facing license suspension. The program, administered by the Department of Safety, mandates these "intelligent speed assistance" devices for 6 months to 2 years, with offenders covering all costs for purchase, installation, and maintenance. Drivers must keep the devices active; tampering or disabling them constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by additional penalties. This policy aims to address repeat speeding violations through technology-based monitoring rather than license revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1308: relative to increasing the penalty for passing a stopped school bus.

HB 1308 increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus in New Hampshire. It makes sworn testimony from bus drivers or witnesses sufficient evidence for violations, allows bus camera footage to be used as proof (but only for legal proceedings), and adds specific penalties: a $300 fine plus a 7-day license suspension for a first offense, escalating to a $750 fine plus 15 days in jail and indefinite license revocation for a third offense. This bill directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses, particularly those with prior violations. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 630: relative to local authorities' power to declare a reasonable and safe speed limit.

SB 630 lowers the minimum speed limit local authorities can set in certain areas from 25 mph to 20 mph. It directly affects towns and cities by allowing them to establish 20 mph limits in non-urban zones and business/residential districts, where previously the minimum was 25 mph. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 265:63) to reflect this change, with no estimated cost to the state or local governments. The Department of Transportation requested this change to support safer speed management in communities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

signed · New Hampshire · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 649: increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.

SB 649 increases fines for drivers using handheld mobile phones while operating a vehicle. It raises penalties for first offenses from $100 to $250 (or $500 if contributing to a crash), second offenses from $250 to $500 (or $750 with a crash), and third+ offenses to $750 with up to 30 days of license suspension (or $1,000 and 60 days if a crash occurs). The bill applies directly to drivers convicted of this violation, with enhanced penalties when the distraction causes a collision. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 559: reducing the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads.

SB 559 lowers the minimum speed limit on locally controlled roads from 25 mph to 20 mph in certain areas, including outside urban districts and within business or urban residential zones. Local authorities must base any speed limit reduction on engineering or traffic studies before implementing it. The bill does not require new funding or change existing enforcement, as it only modifies the minimum limit threshold in state law. This affects municipalities and town officials responsible for setting speed limits on local roads.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1537: relative to the use of high resolution cameras to identify school bus stop light violators.

HB 1537 allows school bus operators to install high-resolution cameras on stop bars (the flashing arms extending from school buses) to capture drivers who run school bus stop lights. The cameras must clearly identify faces, include digital timestamps and tamper-proof video markers, and only activate when stop bars are extended during student loading/unloading. Videos must be preserved for up to 4 years if injuries occur, but deleted after 7 days if unused for investigations. School bus operators may choose to install the cameras but are not required to do so.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Traffic Safety

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 499: relative to the membership, duties, and reporting requirements of the traffic safety commission.

SB 499 requires New Hampshire's Traffic Safety Commission to review and analyze data on the causes of traffic collisions. Starting in 2026, the Commission must include summarized data on collision causes in its annual reports to the governor, House Speaker, and Senate President. These reports will also include recommendations for addressing the identified causes. The bill directly affects the Commission's duties and reporting obligations, with changes taking effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 409: relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer and relative to liability of governmental units.

SB 409 amends penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers during traffic stops or pursuits. It increases penalties for specific violations: disobeying orders to stop (subparagraph I(c)) now carries a class B felony if a motor vehicle accident causes serious injury, and a class A felony if the accident causes death or injury to another person. The bill directly affects drivers who refuse to comply with officers during traffic enforcement, particularly in situations involving collisions. These changes enhance criminal penalties for dangerous disobedience during pursuits, without adding new financial costs to state or local governments.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Traffic Safety

All transportation bills