CONCORD, NH – House Transportation Committee Chair Tom Walsh (R-Hooksett) released the following statement after the New Hamsphire House passed HB 461. This legislation ensures that testing materials used at the New Hampshire department of Motor Vehicles are printed in English.
“The New Hampshire Department of Safety has publicly stated that language barriers are one of the three main safety issues on New Hampshire roadways. Considering that our road signs, directional signs, and emergency electronic signs are all written in English, it makes sense that anyone with a New Hampshire driver’s license ought to have at least a basic understanding of our language.” said Walsh.
“This is not a new concept,” Walsh explained, “RSA 3-C1 states that the official language of New Hampshire is English. If someone is unable to take a driver’s test without needing translation services, then we should seriously consider whether or not they are safe enough to endorse with the New Hampshire license.”