Fatal Crashes Only

This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.

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Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis

119 CRASHES IN
NEW HAMPSHIRE
2023

All metrics benchmarked against2022

Fatal crashes in New Hampshire decreased by 13.14% year-over-year, from 137 fatal crashes in the prior period to 119 fatal crashes in the current period. The most notable shift was a significant decrease in speeding-related fatal crashes, which dropped from 48 to 27. This overall reduction in fatal incidents suggests an improvement in road safety during the current period.

119

▼ -13.1%was 137

Total Crash Events

127

▼ -13.0%was 146

Persons Killed

101

▲ 26.3%was 80

Persons Injured

5

Hit-and-Run Crashes

Note: "Persons Killed" (127) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (119) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records

Trend Summary

Fatal crashes in New Hampshire experienced a downward trend, decreasing by 13.14% year-over-year. The number of fatal crashes fell from 137 in the prior period to 119 in the current period. This reduction indicates a positive movement in overall traffic safety outcomes.

5

Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023

4.2% hit-and-run rate this period vs 0.0% prior. Prior period: 0.

Vulnerable Road User Casualties

14

Pedestrians Killed

Prior: 16↓-12.5%

1

Cyclists Killed

Prior: 3↓-66.7%

111

Motorists Killed

Prior: 126↓-11.9%

1

Other Killed

Prior: 1→0.0%

1

Pedestrians Injured

Prior: 2↓-50.0%

0

Cyclists Injured

Prior: 0→0.0%

100

Motorists Injured

Prior: 78↑28.2%

0

Other Injured

Prior: 0→0.0%

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)

When Crashes Happen

The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Sunday, which had 26 fatal crashes in the prior period, to Thursday, with 22 fatal crashes in the current period. The peak hour for fatal crashes also changed, moving from 9 PM with 12 fatal crashes in the prior period to 6 PM with 15 fatal crashes in the current period. This indicates a shift in when the highest number of fatal incidents occurred.

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)

Road & Environmental Conditions

Clear weather remained the most common condition for fatal crashes, accounting for 89 fatal crashes in the current period, a decrease from 105 in the prior period. Fatal crashes occurring during rain decreased from 12 to 9 year-over-year. Daylight conditions saw 65 fatal crashes in the current period, a slight decrease from 68, while fatal crashes in dark, unlighted conditions decreased from 37 to 25.

Weather

Clear89 (74.8%)
↓-15.2%prior 105
Cloudy15 (12.6%)
→0.0%prior 15
Rain9 (7.6%)
↓-25.0%prior 12
Fog, Smog, Smoke2 (1.7%)
Reported as Unknown2 (1.7%)
Snow1 (0.8%)
Blowing Snow1 (0.8%)

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash

Lighting

Daylight65 (54.6%)
↓-4.4%prior 68
Dark - Not Lighted25 (21.0%)
↓-32.4%prior 37
Dark - Lighted16 (13.4%)
↓-11.1%prior 18
Dusk6 (5.0%)
↓-50.0%prior 12
Dawn3 (2.5%)
Dark - Unknown Lighting2 (1.7%)
Other1 (0.8%)
Reported as Unknown1 (0.8%)

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field

Vehicles & Demographics

Harley-Davidson was the most frequently involved vehicle make in fatal crashes in the current period with 19 vehicles, maintaining its count from the prior period. Toyota, which was highest in the prior period with 24 vehicles, saw its involvement decrease to 18 vehicles. The 65+ age group saw an increase in persons involved in fatal crashes from 54 to 58, while the 55-64 age group decreased from 61 to 33.

Top Vehicle Makes (185 vehicles)

1
HARLEY-DAVIDSON19 (10.3%)
→0.0%prior 19
2
CHEVROLET18 (9.7%)
↓-5.3%prior 19
3
HONDA18 (9.7%)
↑20.0%prior 15
4
TOYOTA18 (9.7%)
↓-25.0%prior 24
5
FORD14 (7.6%)
↓-36.4%prior 22
6
JEEP / KAISER-JEEP / WILLYS- JEEP10 (5.4%)
→0.0%prior 10
7
GMC9 (4.9%)
↑50.0%prior 6
8
NISSAN/DATSUN8 (4.3%)
↓-27.3%prior 11
9
DODGE8 (4.3%)
↑60.0%prior 5
10
SUBARU6 (3.2%)
↓-14.3%prior 7

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records

9 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.

Sex Distribution (292 persons with recorded sex)

Male177 (60.6%)
↓-5.9%prior 188
Female115 (39.4%)
↑22.3%prior 94

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events

Speed Limit Zones

The 30 mph speed zone continued to have the highest number of fatal crashes, increasing from 34 in the prior period to 37 in the current period. Fatal crashes in the 40 mph zone decreased from 20 to 11, and in the 50 mph zone from 26 to 17. Conversely, fatal crashes in the 65 mph zone increased from 7 to 10 year-over-year.

Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 30 mph: 37 of 37 (100%) · 35 mph: 17 of 17 (100%) · 40 mph: 11 of 11 (100%) · 45 mph: 7 of 7 (100%) · 50 mph: 17 of 17 (100%) · 55 mph: 14 of 14 (100%) · 65 mph: 10 of 10 (100%) · 70 mph: 3 of 3 (100%)

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location

Manner of Collision

The dominant manner of collision was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' accounting for 69 fatal crashes (58%) in the current period, down from 85 fatal crashes (62%) in the prior period. Angle collisions increased from 16 fatal crashes (11.7%) to 23 fatal crashes (19.3%). Front-to-Front collisions decreased from 26 fatal crashes (19%) to 22 fatal crashes (18.5%).

Manner of Collision

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Vehicle Type

Two Wheel Motorcycles were the most common vehicle body type in fatal crashes in the current period with 37, an increase from 32 in the prior period. Compact Utility vehicles decreased from 47 to 33, and 4-door sedans decreased from 44 to 33. The involvement of motorcycles, a high-fatality category, increased year-over-year.

Vehicle Type

1
Two Wheel Motorcycle (excluding motor scooters)37 (20.1%)
2
Compact Utility (Utility Vehicle Categories "Small" and "Midsize")33 (17.9%)
3
4-door sedan, hardtop33 (17.9%)
4
Light Pickup22 (12%)
5
Station Wagon (excluding van and truck based)14 (7.6%)
6
Large utility (ANSI D16.1 Utility Vehicle Categories and "Full Size" and "Large")12 (6.5%)
7
Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...)6 (3.3%)
8
5-door/4-door hatchback6 (3.3%)
9
Truck-tractor (Cab only, or with any number of trailing unit; any weight)4 (2.2%)

Showing top 9 of 20 reported. 11 additional (17 total) not shown: Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Unknown medium/heavy truck type, Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Motor Scooter, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.), Unenclosed Three Wheel Motorcycle / Unenclosed Autocycle (1 Rear Wheel), Unknown body type, 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe.

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records

Rural vs Urban

Fatal crashes in rural areas decreased from 74 in the prior period to 62 in the current period, while urban fatal crashes decreased from 63 to 57. In the current period, rural areas accounted for 62 fatal crashes, compared to 57 in urban areas, continuing to show a disproportionate share of fatal crashes on rural trafficways.

Rural vs Urban

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Roadway Functional Class

Minor Arterials continued to be the functional class with the most fatal crashes, increasing slightly from 37 in the prior period to 39 in the current period. Other Principal Arterials saw a decrease from 31 to 25 fatal crashes. Local roads remained stable, with 18 fatal crashes in both periods.

Roadway Functional Class

1
Minor Arterial39 (32.8%)
2
Other Principal Arterial25 (21%)
3
Local18 (15.1%)
4
Major Collector16 (13.4%)
5
Interstate15 (12.6%)
6
Minor Collector5 (4.2%)
7
Other Freeways and Expressways1 (0.8%)

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Roadway Ownership

State Highway Agencies remained the primary owner of roadways where fatal crashes occurred, with 74 in the current period, a decrease from 93 in the prior period. Fatal crashes on roads owned by Town or Township Highway Agencies decreased from 37 to 28. City or Municipal Highway Agencies saw an increase from 2 to 10 fatal crashes year-over-year.

Roadway Ownership

1
State Highway Agency74 (62.2%)
2
Town or Township Highway Agency28 (23.5%)
3
City or Municipal Highway Agency10 (8.4%)
4
State Toll Road6 (5%)
5
Other State Agency1 (0.8%)

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Person Type

Drivers remained the most common person type involved in fatal crashes, with 185 in the current period, down from 204 in the prior period. Passengers involved in fatal crashes increased from 62 to 94. Pedestrians decreased from 18 to 15, and bicyclists decreased from 3 to 1.

Person Type

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Person Injury Severity

Fatalities (K) decreased from 146 in the prior period to 127 in the current period. The total number of injured persons (severity A, B, C, U) increased from 80 in the prior period to 101 in the current period. This indicates a shift towards more injuries despite fewer fatalities overall.

Person Injury Severity

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Occupant Safety Equipment

The number of persons recorded as using 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment decreased from 132 in the prior period to 124 in the current period. Conversely, the number of persons using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' increased from 102 to 109. This suggests a slight improvement in safety belt usage among individuals involved in fatal crashes.

Occupant Safety Equipment

"Other" combines 1 smaller categories (1 records): Booster Seat (1).

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events

Point of Impact

The '12 Clock Point' remained the dominant point of impact, recorded in 115 fatal crashes in the current period, down from 123 in the prior period. 'Non-Collision' impacts increased from 12 to 18. Left-Front Side impacts saw a slight increase from 5 to 8.

Point of Impact

"Other" combines 9 smaller categories (22 records): Right-Front Side (4), 1 Clock Point (4), 6 Clock Point (4), 11 Clock Point (3), 8 Clock Point (3), Undercarriage (1), 4 Clock Point (1), Top (1), 10 Clock Point (1).

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records

Vehicles Per Crash

Single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 78 in the prior period to 62 in the current period. Two-vehicle fatal crashes remained stable, decreasing slightly from 50 to 49. Fatal crashes involving three or more vehicles remained stable, with 8 such crashes in both the current and prior periods.

Vehicles Per Crash

Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records

Data Sources & Methodology

Primary Data Source

All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.

Data Retrieval

  • Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
  • Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
  • Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
  • Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
  • Report generated: August 5, 2026

Data Coverage

  • Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
  • Geographic scope: New Hampshire
  • Total crash records analyzed: 119
  • Total persons involved: 296
  • Total vehicles involved: 185

Analytical Methodology

  • Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
  • Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
  • Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
  • Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
  • Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
  • Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
  • AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.

Limitations & Disclaimers

  • Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
  • Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
  • Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
  • AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
  • Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.

Non-Affiliation Disclosure

This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.

Data License

The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.

Corrections & Feedback

If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.

Suggested Citation

ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "New Hampshire Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/new-hampshire/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report

About the Publisher

ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.

Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai

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