New Hampshire drivers commonly forget critical traffic rules, such as not moving to the right or cutting off other drivers when turning left.
New Hampshire has a traffic code to help keep all motorists and their passengers safe on the road. Despite this, drivers often ignore the laws and create hazards that lead to accidents.
Below, you’ll find seven of the most commonly ignored New Hampshire traffic laws. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can practice safe driving.
Learn more with the following resources:
- State of New Hampshire Driver Manual
- New Hampshire Statutes Section 21 – Title 265 – Rules of the Road
1. New Hampshire Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
New Hampshire requires slower drivers to keep right. If you are traveling at less than the pace of traffic, you must either hug the right curb or use the furthest right lane. Stay to the right unless you are passing or getting ready to make a left turn.
Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.
2. New Hampshire Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
On New Hampshire interstates, you must drive at least 45 miles per hour. This statewide minimum speed is in place unless you need to slow down for safety or to comply with the law.
For non-interstate highways, there may be a posted minimum speed you need to obey. However, no matter the road, you need to avoid driving so slowly that you block normal traffic.
No person shall drive a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law. A minimum speed limit of 45 miles per hour shall be posted and prevail on the interstate highway system in the state.
Whenever the commissioner of transportation determines that slow speeds on any part of a way consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, said commissioner may determine and declare a minimum prima facie speed limit.
3. New Hampshire Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
When you go to pass another vehicle in New Hampshire, you must do so on the left. And you cannot move back to the right until you have overtaken the other driver entirely.
Likewise, if another driver is passing you, you must yield the right of way if they honk their horn. You can’t speed up until they have completely passed you.
If your pass requires you to travel left of the center line, you need to wait until the lanes headed in the opposite direction are clear of oncoming traffic. It is illegal to come within 200 feet of any vehicle traveling the opposite way before you are safely back in your original lane.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
The driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the driving of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
4. New Hampshire Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
New Hampshire does not set a minimum space you need to keep between you and the car in front of you. Instead, it is illegal to follow closer than is “reasonable and prudent.” What is considered a reasonable gap can change based on weather and traffic conditions, as well as the speed of the other cars.
The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the way.
5. New Hampshire Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
In New Hampshire, you cannot use your cell phone while driving unless it is in hands-free mode. This includes when you’re sitting at a red light, stop sign, or in heavy traffic. Typing a text or using two hands to operate a mobile phone is also a violation of the law.
An exception exists when you are calling to report an emergency to 911 or first responders.
If you are under 18, you can’t use a cell phone while driving, even in hands-free mode, unless you are reporting an emergency.
No person, while driving a moving motor vehicle upon a way or temporarily halted in traffic for a traffic control device or other momentary delay, shall use any hand-held mobile electronic device capable of providing voice or data communication.
It shall not be an offense for any person driving a motor vehicle upon a way to make use of a cellular telephone or other electronic device capable of voice communication to report an emergency to the enhanced 911 system or directly to a law enforcement agency, fire department, or emergency medical provider.
No person less than 18 years of age shall use a cellular or mobile telephone or other mobile electronic device, whether hands-free or not, while driving a motor vehicle in motion or temporarily stopped in traffic upon any way, except to report an emergency to the enhanced 911 system or any public safety agency.
A person operating a moving motor vehicle who writes a text message or uses 2 hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device, is guilty of a violation.
6. New Hampshire Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
If you reach an intersection at the same time as another New Hampshire driver, the motorist to the left must yield. Unless otherwise directed, the driver to the right can proceed first.
The driver of every vehicle approaching or entering an intersection on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right, unless otherwise designated by an official traffic control device or otherwise directed by a police officer.
7. New Hampshire Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Before you make a left turn in New Hampshire, yield to oncoming vehicles. Cutting across traffic and creating a safety hazard violates the rules of the road. First, let traffic headed in the opposite direction clear, then proceed into the turn.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Obeying the rules of the road is vital to being a safe and courteous New Hampshire motorist. Keep the above seven traffic laws in mind the next time you drive. Following the rules will keep you from getting a ticket and help you avoid accidents.