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Committee debates aggravated OUI for wrong‑way highway driving; motion to ‘not pass’ wins unanimous support
Summary
After hearing testimony and discussion, the committee voted 16-0 in favor of the motion “not to pass” on HB 776, a bill that would have created aggravated OUI for drivers traveling the wrong way on divided highways.
The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee debated House Bill 776, a proposal to treat driving under the influence that involves traveling the wrong way on a divided highway as aggravated OUI. After discussion the committee voted 16-0 in favor of a motion recorded in the transcript as “not to pass.”
Proponents described wrong-way driving on highways as typically involving severe intoxication and near-certain catastrophic outcomes; the sponsor said the conduct is so dangerous that enhanced criminal penalties are warranted. Representative Murray referenced technologies used by other states to detect wrong-way drivers and noted that New Hampshire has chosen not to adopt some tracking systems, which limits non-punitive prevention options.
Several committee members supported enhanced penalties to deter dangerous driving, particularly during summer months when tourism and impaired-driving incidents increase. Representative Sher expressed concern about capturing lower-speed wrong-way incidents on one-way local streets and suggested refinement in the Senate; Representative Newman suggested low-cost engineering options such as using red/white reflectors to warn drivers going the wrong direction on ramps.
The committee recorded the motion “not to pass” on the bill by roll call; the transcript shows the vote was 16-0, and the item was sent to the consent calendar accordingly.
