What is the “Safe Systems” approach?
The Safe System approach is used by the transportation community as an effective way to address and prevent the risks inherent in our enormous and complex transportation system.
- Safer People: All roadway users are empowered to be safe while using our transportation systems.
- Safer Roads: Roads can be designed to allow for human mistakes.
- Safer Vehicles: Vehicles can be designed to be safer for occupants and non-occupants.
- Safer Speeds: Promote safer speeds on our roadways by public outreach.
- Post-Crash Care: Create a safe working environment for first responders and prevent secondary crashes.
What is a New Hampshire RSA?
The New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, RSA's, are the codified laws of the State of New Hampshire.
RSA 265 are the group of laws governing New Hampshire roadways that keep all roadway users safe.
“Speeding” RSA 265:60
No person shall drive a vehicle on a way at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance on or entering the way in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
65 miles an hour on the interstate system unless posted otherwise.
“Speeding” RSA 265:60
In a posted school zone, at a speed of 10 miles per hour below the usual posted limit from 45 minutes prior to each school opening until each school opening and from each school closing until 45 minutes after each school closing.
Driving or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Liquor RSA 265-A:2
No person shall drive or attempt to drive a vehicle upon any way or operate or attempt to operate an off-highway recreational vehicle while such person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any controlled drug, prescription drug, over-the-counter drug, or any other chemical substance, natural or synthetic, which impairs a person's ability to drive or any combination of intoxicating liquor and controlled drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or any other chemical substances, natural or synthetic, which impair a person's ability to drive.
“Hands Free Law” RSA 265:79-c
It is unlawful in New Hampshire for all drivers to operate a motor vehicle while using a handheld cellphone or mobile electronic device to:
- Initiate or receive a call
- Read, compose, or view an electronic message
- Initiate or request access to the Internet
- Browse the Internet
- Manually type data
- Input information into a navigation system
- Motorists who get caught with their cellphone in the immediate proximity to their ears are presumed to have been engaged in a call.
“Move over law” RSA 265:33
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible or visual signal, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
New Hampshire Child Occupant Protection Law RSA 265:107-a
All children under age 7 or 57 inches (whichever is reached first) must use a properly fastened and secured child safety seat. Children under age 18 must be properly restrained in a motor vehicle including a car, pickup truck or SUV
We strongly recommend the use of seatbelts for all drivers no matter what their age
In 2021 there were 51 people that died and 1,268 that were injured in car crashes on New Hampshire roadways because they were not wearing seatbelts.
265:54 RSA Overtaking and Passing School Bus.
The driver of a vehicle upon a way upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus, plainly marked with school bus signs or such other distinguishing identification as the director may require, which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children shall stop his or her vehicle before reaching such school bus at least 25 feet away from such school bus. The driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or until flashing red lights cease to operate.
“Turn Signals” RSA 265:46
Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by lighted signal lamps.
”Jessica’s Law” RSA 265:79-b
Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, as defined in RSA 626:2, II(d), or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for a first offense and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.
Bicyclists RSA 265:143-a
Drivers to Exercise Due Care When Approaching Bicycle. – Every driver of a vehicle, when approaching a bicyclist, shall insure the safety and protection of the bicyclist and shall exercise due care by leaving a reasonable and prudent distance between the vehicle and the bicycle. The distance shall be presumed to be reasonable and prudent if it is at least 3 feet when the vehicle is traveling at 30 miles per hour or less, with one additional foot of clearance required for every 10 miles per hour above 30 miles per hour.
Bicyclists RSA 265:143
Every person propelling a vehicle by human power or riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the rules of the road, except as provided in paragraph II and as to special regulations in this subdivision and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.
“Pedestrians” RSA 265:11
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" are in place such signals shall indicate as follows:
I. Walk-Pedestrians facing such steady or flashing signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right of way by the drivers of all vehicles.
II. Don't Walk-No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signals whether steady or flashing, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the "Walk" signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island.
“Pedestrians” RSA 265:11
When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
II. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
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