Published: 12/14/2020 5:46:48 PM
When the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools, restaurants and businesses to close in March, many residents across Vermont and New Hampshire began what would become a months-long period of self-quarantine with little travel.
But nine months into the pandemic, highway safety officials in both states have seen a confounding result: Traffic fatalities this year are on par with previous levels, despite the fact there are far fewer commuters and cars on the road.
As of Dec. 7, the Granite State had seen 102 traffic fatalities, which is similar to 2019’s count of 101. In 2018 — an anomaly for the state — there were 147 traffic fatalities and in 2017 there were 102 deaths, according to Jennifer Tramp, a spokeswoman for the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety.