Portsmouth, NH (March 12, 2026) – An injury accident was reported on Thursday morning, March 12, at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle in Portsmouth.
Emergency units were dispatched to the area around 9:10 a.m. after reports of a motor vehicle crash involving injuries.
A 70-year-old woman reported neck pain following the crash. She was evaluated at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital for further medical care.
Details about how the accident occurred have not yet been released. Traffic in the area experienced temporary delays as crews responded to the scene.
The crash remains under investigation, and additional details may become available as the review continues. Our thoughts are with the injured woman as she receives care and recovers.
Traffic Circle Collisions and Injury Risks
Busy approaches near the Portsmouth Traffic Circle can slow rapidly following crashes. Crews in Portsmouth often adjust traffic patterns during emergency responses to help keep drivers and responders safe.
Traffic circles are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of high-speed impacts. Drivers enter the circle and move around a central island while yielding to vehicles already circulating. Even with this design, crashes can still happen when drivers misjudge speed, change lanes suddenly, or fail to yield.
Injury crashes inside traffic circles often involve side impacts or sudden stops as vehicles merge or exit. The curved layout can limit reaction time, especially during periods of heavy traffic or when drivers are unfamiliar with the roadway.