New program aims to reduce highway deaths

CONCORD – It sounds like a tall order, but there’s a new state program in New Hampshire that’s aimed at reducing the number of fatalities and severe injuries on roads to zero. State Transportation Commissioner Chris Clement says “Driving Toward Zero” focuses on education, enforcement, emergency management and engineering. The mission, launched Thursday, is to “create a safety culture where even one death is too many” through a collaborative effort of public and private groups, according to the state’s 2012 Strategic Highway Safety Plan. That means looking at ways to prevent problems such as impaired driving, teen texting and driving and – a big challenge in New Hampshire – encouraging drivers to wear seat belts and motorcyclists to wear helmets. There’s no state law requiring them. “I look at it as an opportunity,” Clement said. “It is our logo, ‘One Death is Too Many’ – but we really believe it.