We all know that it’s dangerous to drive in New York, but in disconcerting recent news, Long Island has been named the top location for traffic deaths in the state.
In this article, I’ll discuss experts’ opinions on the causes of traffic deaths on Long Island, which include lax pandemic regulations, ongoing problems with well-known unsafe roadways, and dangerous teen drivers. If you suffer a major accident on Long Island, don’t hesitate to contact Buttafuoco & Associates for a free consultation. Call us now at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
What is Causing Crashes on Long Island?
In July 2024, the state Comptroller’s office released a new report, Moving in the Wrong Direction: Traffic Fatalities are Growing in New York State. The report pointed out that deaths on the road are on the rise across the entire state, but in particular it mentioned that Long Island has more traffic deaths than anywhere else.
In fact, 20 percent of all auto accident-related fatalities happened on Long Island roadways. In 2022, 254 people died in crashes in Suffolk and Nassau Counties: the highest level we’ve seen in decades. Traffic deaths on Long Island have increased by 40% since 2019.
There is not one singular cause of fatal accidents on Long Island: many factors play into the problem. For one, since the pandemic, speeding and driving under the influence have increased significantly. In Suffolk County specifically, crashes were significantly more likely to involve distracted drivers, speeding, and DWIs than other New York counties.
Unsafe lane changes, weaving, tailgating, and other forms of aggressive driving have also contributed to the increase in crashes in recent years. Aggressive driving has become significantly more common since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has also been an increase in deaths of Long Island travelers due to drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.
Southern State Parkway
The Southern State Parkway, built in 1927, continues to pose huge safety hazards on Long Island. With over 200,000 vehicles using the Parkway daily, sometimes at unsafe speeds, we see over 4000 crashes per year happening here. As far back as 2016, studies found that in a five-year span, over 10,500 accidents occurred on the Southern State Parkway, 32 of which were fatal.
A specific segment of the Southern State Parkway known as “Blood Alley” is where most serious accidents and deaths occur. Oversized vehicles such as semi trucks are specifically to blame in certain locations, such as exit 18 where multiple trucks smash into the overpass each year. Exit 13 has also seen serious crashes involving the on/off ramp and dangerous speeding near local schools.
While plans are in motion to make the Southern Parkway safer, most of the work has not yet begun, leaving all of us vulnerable to dangerous crashes.
Youth Car Accidents
Car accidents involving teens have also been on the rise in recent years–and this is seen as a serious contributing factor to Long Island crashes.
Just this summer, a teen driving a stolen car while under the influence caused a fatal crash in Centereach. He killed a 73-year old woman after hitting her smaller vehicle from behind in the Land Rover, and also injured a 50-year-old passenger before he fled the scene. Luckily, he was quickly apprehended by police, but this was not an isolated incident.
According to CBS News, local residents have pointed out that they have noticed a sharp uptick in accidents involving young people in the area. The statistics back it up: a record number of Long Island drivers between 16 and 20 years of age were killed in 2023. Distractions, failing to yield, dangerous lane changes are all common causes of recent teen accidents.
Experts also believe the numbers are up because a large number of young drivers learned to operate vehicles during the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles COVID flexibility training. During this time period, New York laws allowed teens to learn driving skills remotely or from people in their families. Some teens completed all of their training online without an instructor, and received licenses even if they had never been in a car with a driver’s ed teacher or a parent. Others, including driver’s ed teachers, say it is unlikely that most teens drove the 74 hours required to receive a license, and say that inexperience is likely a big part of the problem.
Speeding is the biggest problem officials see among young drivers. Long Island roadways are often windy, with sharp turns and hills, and teens race along these roads that were designed to be traveled at much slower speeds. Even before the pandemic, speeding on these roads was problematic. In 2014, two teens from Long Island struck a tree with their vehicle and were killed instantly.
Hurt in an Accident on Long Island?
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident on Long Island, a car accident attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help. As you can see, these cases have many complicated causes and there is no better support after an accident than working with a qualified attorney.
Our legal team is committed to defending victims’ rights and helping them maximize their compensation–especially in cases of wrongful death or serious injuries. Get in touch today for a free consultation.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT.
