When asked about the most dangerous roads on Long Island, most locals are familiar with a few of the obvious contenders.
For example, anyone who has spent more than a few minutes listening to the Long Island Expressway traffic report will likely hear about an accident.
However, the truth is that several of New York’s most dangerous roads are located in Long Island.
Some of the lesser-known—but equally dangerous—roads in Long Island include:
- Sunrise Highway,
- Montauk Point State Highway,
- County Road 39,
- Route 1,
- Route 24,
- Route 27,
- Route 110,
- Middle Country Road,
- Hempstead Turnpike,
- Merrick Road, and
- Wicks Road.
What makes these the most dangerous roads in Long Island? In part, it’s due to the high volume of traffic these roads see.
This is especially the case on Thursdays through Sundays, as tens of thousands of people flee their busy urban life for a taste of everything Long Island has to offer.
However, this doesn’t explain it all, as the roads in New York City experience much higher rates of traffic.
The other contributing factor is that many of the most dangerous roads on Long Island have higher speed limits.
Even a relatively modest speed limit of 55 miles per hour is significantly faster than most New Yorkers are used to traveling in the city.
The result is that many motorists are ill-prepared for the dangerous combination of congested roads and high-speed limits.
While many of the roads and highways of Long Island are dangerous, there are precautions drivers can take to reduce the chances of a car accident.
Avoid The Most Dangerous Driving Hours
While it’s not possible in every situation, when your schedule permits, don’t travel on Long Island roads during rush hour or peak weekend travel hours.
Leave Plenty of Room Between Cars
One of the most dangerous aspects of Long Island roads is the frequent congestion.
It is imperative that you account for the unexpected by leaving additional room between your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
Follow the Speed Limit
On average, Long Island roads have a higher speed limit than those in the city.
However, that doesn’t mean you should travel at the posted speed limit, especially during periods of inclement weather or high traffic.
Pay Attention to the Road
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents, both on Long Island and nationwide.
Long Island drivers are busy, and it’s tempting to take out your phone to check your email or send a quick text message while driving in slow-moving traffic.
However, removing your attention from the road for even a split second can have devastating consequences. It’s just not worth it.
Of course, despite being a safe driver and taking all possible precautions, some accidents are unavoidable.
A drunk driver, someone who disregards a traffic signal, or a distracted driver can leave you with no time to react.
In these situations, the best course of action is to consult with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
Contact the Law Offices of Theodore Naima to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Respected Long Island Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a car accident, reach out to the Law Offices of Theodore Naima for immediate assistance.
Attorney Naima has 25 years of experience aggressively pursuing compensation on behalf of accident victims.
With his help, you can effectively pursue a claim against the negligent driver responsible for your injuries.
To schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of Theodore A. Naima, call 516-280-7311 today. You can also connect with us through our online form.
The information provided on this page speaks in general terms. Of course, there are often exceptions that apply in certain situations. For a complete list of all exceptions please consult the Consolidated Laws of New York. Attorney Naima is also happy to answer any questions you have about your injuries or ability to pursue a claim against the responsible party.