Long Island home to 4 of the deadliest roads in the state
Transportation and planning advocates say the problem has intensified in recent years.
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Four of the deadliest roads in New York state are located on Long Island, according to a new five-year study by I-Select.
Middle Country Road ranks as the 10th deadliest roadway in New York, a distinction many drivers may not realize. The study found 24 fatal crashes along Middle Country Road over the five-year period analyzed.
Edwin Nunez, who has lived near the roadway in Selden for about a decade, says the ranking reflects what he sees every day.
“That does not surprise me at all. I do see a little more regarding accidents happening around because people are not cautious, but traffic is building up around the area,” Nunez said.
Middle Country Road is not the only Long Island roadway on the list. In fact, Long Island accounts for four of the state’s top 10 deadliest roads.
The Long Island Expressway tops the list locally and ranks third deadliest statewide, with 42 fatal crashes during the same five-year period. Drivers say excessive speed is a major concern.
“You go 75 on the expressway and you have to be in the slow lane because everyone is going by at 85,” said Frank Saladino, of Selden.
Sunrise Highway also made the top 10, ranking fifth with 36 fatal crashes. The Southern State Parkway followed closely behind, coming in seventh with 32 fatal crashes.
Transportation and planning advocates say the problem has intensified in recent years. Elissa Kyle, placemaking director with Vision Long Island, points to behavioral and vehicle changes since the pandemic.
“People are driving more aggressively since COVID, we’ve noticed. Vehicles have changed to some extent, and they are getting larger and larger,” Kyle said.
Kyle adds that increased awareness and caution remain some of the best tools drivers have when traveling on Long Island’s most dangerous roads.
The New York State Department of Transportation says it has already made several improvements along Middle Country Road, including new turning lanes in Calverton, and that additional upgrades are planned.
In a statement, the Department of Transportation says it encourages all motorists to observe posted speed limits, avoid aggressive driving and follow all traffic laws.
Below is the full list from I-Select
Rank | New York Roads | Total Crashes |
1 | I-87 | 58 |
2 | US-9 | 44 |
3 | I-495 | 42 |
4 | I-90 | 36 |
5 | SR-27 SUNRISE HWY | 36 |
6 | US-9W | 34 |
7 | SR-908M SOUTHERN STATE PKWY | 32 |
8 | US-11 | 31 |
9 | SR-104 | 26 |
10 | SR-25 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD | 24 |
