Motorists can expect six-month enforcement blitz along Route 125 corridor

The enforcement area will extend roughly 50 miles from Plaistow to Milton. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Motorists driving the Route 125 corridor between Plaistow and Milton can expect to see more law enforcement activity through September following the establishment of a partnership between state, county and local police aimed at reducing the number of accidents and deaths.

According to data compiled by the NHOHS, 4,893 crashes were recorded on the Route 125 Corridor over the past nine years. Many of the crashes resulted in serious injuries or deaths. In some instances, impairment was a factor.

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

Police departments from these communities, in addition to the Rockingham County and Strafford County Sheriff's Offices and Troops A, G and the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) of the New Hampshire State Police, are taking part in these patrols with the goal of reducing the number of deaths, injuries and crashes along the heavily traveled stretch of road. 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.

Rochester Police will participating in the collaborative effort to address dangerous driving Route 125 Corridor. "The safety of all our community residents and visitors is our top priority," Rochester Support Commander and Public Information Officer Andrew Swanberry. "People can expect to see RPD officers on Route 125 taking action against dangerous driving utilizing both fully marked police cruisers as well as unmarked or low-profile enforcement efforts.

Swanberry noted that the increased emphasis on the Route 125 Corridor will not cause an interruption of services throughout the rest of our community.

"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," added Chief Thomas C. Dronsfield Jr. of the Lee Police Department.

The highway safety grants allow for 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 Chief Michael Wallace of the Epping Police Department.

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