Motorcycle fatalities in Granite State at 20-year high

CONCORD - 2023 has been the deadliest year for motorcycle riders in New Hampshire in nearly two decades, according to the state's Office of Highway Safety.

Since Jan. 1, 39 motorcycle riders - 35 operators, 3 passengers and 1 moped operator - have been killed. 31 victims were men, while 8 others were women. 31 of the 39 victims were from New Hampshire.

"For each life lost, many more lives were altered forever," said New Hampshire Department of Safety Assistant Commissioner Eddie Edwards. "Our goal, within the Office of Highway Safety, is to quickly stop this tragic trend."

According to a 20-year average of data, maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles' Fatal Crash Unit, a total of 22 riders typically lose their lives in crashes annually. Motorcycle rider deaths in the Granite State haven't been this high since 2005, when 43 riders - 39 operators, 3 passengers, and 1 moped operator - were killed.

"This season's fatality numbers are particularly distressing," said Larry Crowe, State Coordinator of the Motorcycle Rider Education Program at the Division of Motor Vehicles. "Riders need to take ownership and control of what they can and prepare to respond to what they can't. None of us think 'This is the ride that I crash' when we throw our leg over the bike. Making smart choices, like slowing down, as well as aggressively predicting traffic issues, can help prevent a crash. While things absolutely out of our control do happen, a helmet can be the difference between picking the bike up to assess damage, waiting for an ambulance - or worse."

While this year's deadly motorcycle crashes have occurred across much of the state, most of them have been in Rockingham County, where 11 deadly crashes were reported. Six deadly crashes were reported in Hillsborough County, while Merrimack and Grafton counties have each had five crashes. Belknap, Carroll and Strafford have each had three deadly crashes. Sullivan County has had 1 deadly motorcycle crash, while Cheshire and Coos have each had 0, respectively.

"With the number of fatalities this year, it is imperative that all motorcyclists remember to RideSMART- Safely, Maturely, Aware, Respectfully and Trained!" said Traci Beaurivage, president of the New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization. "We, as riders, need to be responsible for our actions and make SMART decisions when we ride. Please do your part!"