Thanksgiving Eve Crackdown Nets Nine DUI Arrests in New Hampshire Seacoast
For many, Thanksgiving Eve is a cherished night of reunions and festivities, often earning it the unofficial title of one of the biggest bar nights of the year. But in New Hampshire, it was also one of the year’s most highly visible nights for law enforcement, resulting in nine arrests for impaired driving and other serious violations on major Seacoast roads.
New Hampshire State Police confirmed that a high-visibility DUI saturation patrol was conducted across the Seacoast area on Wednesday, November 26, and into the early morning hours of Thanksgiving. The targeted enforcement effort zeroed in on high-traffic corridors, including the Spaulding Turnpike and major arteries in Rockingham County.
The operation was extensive, with troopers stopping a total of 224 vehicles throughout the night. Ultimately, nine individuals were taken into custody on charges ranging from driving under the influence of liquor to reckless operation. In addition to the arrests, State Police issued 79 citations, sending a clear message about the state’s zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving during the holiday travel rush.
Among those facing charges was a Massachusetts resident arrested for aggravated driving under the influence of liquor, specifically for allegedly driving 30 mph or more over the posted speed limit while impaired. Other charges included alcohol ignition interlock circumvention, reckless operation, and operating after being certified as a habitual offender. The arrestees hailed from various communities across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Consequences Are Steep in the Granite State
The Thanksgiving holiday period is historically one of the most dangerous times on the nation’s roadways due to increased travel and alcohol consumption. Nationally, drunk-driving crashes accounted for more than one-third of all traffic fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday period from 2019 to 2023. New Hampshire’s own statistics underscore the severity of the problem; for example, in 2022, 107 of the state’s 146 traffic fatalities were linked to an alcohol- or drug-affected driver.
The state treats driving while intoxicated, or DWI, as a serious offense with costly and long-lasting repercussions. A first offense DWI is typically classified as a Class B misdemeanor. The resulting penalties can include a mandatory fine ranging from $500 to $1,200, plus a mandatory license revocation for a minimum of nine months, which can extend up to two years. Furthermore, a conviction mandates a substance abuse screening and intervention program, which must be completed before a license can be reinstated.
Aggravated charges, such as the one stemming from excessive speed during the crackdown, carry even steeper penalties, including higher fines and a mandatory minimum sentence in the county house of correction.
This latest enforcement effort is part of a broader, year-round push by the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety to curb dangerous driving behaviors. The agency has seen a significant increase in the number of law enforcement partners participating in grant programs aimed at increasing visibility and enforcement on state roads. Authorities warn that similar saturation patrols will continue to be conducted across the state in the coming weeks and throughout the winter holiday season.
State Police continue to urge the public to prioritize safety by planning for a sober ride ahead of any celebration and to report suspected impaired drivers immediately by calling 911.