You may have heard the adage that most car crashes occur within five miles of someone’s home. There is some statistical truth to that claim, as many people tend to drive the most on the streets closest to where they live and also to be the most distracted where they feel the most comfortable.
In theory, that means that the most dangerous roads tend to vary based on where you live. However, there are certain roads that have more statistical risk than others. Knowing the most dangerous roads on Long Island could help you make better choices about when and where you travel for your safety on the road.
Where are you most likely to crash?
Two roads on Long Island saw a significant portion of the total crashes that occured in the area. Between 2016 and 2020, State Route 27, which people all call Sunrise Highway or Montauk Highway, saw 61 deaths. Another 62 people died on State Route 25, which people also call Jericho Turnpike and Middle Country Road, during that five-year period. State Route 25A saw 26 fatalities, while Suffolk County Road 80 had 20 fatalities.
Many of these collisions involved motor vehicles, but there were also pedestrian and cyclist fatalities reported on many of the most dangerous roads in Long Island. There were 22 pedestrian deaths on State Route 27 and 18 pedestrian deaths on State Route 25.
Knowing the risk helps you stay safe
If you understand where you have the most risk, you can avoid driving on particularly dangerous streets when other risk factors are also present. Avoiding State Routes 27 and 25 around the Fourth of July or in the middle of the night could be a wise call, as could planning another route if you find yourself traveling these more dangerous roads during the afternoon rush hour.
State lawmakers have responded to reports about the risk and may make changes to traffic laws and local planning rules to help reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions, as well as pedestrian and cyclist crashes. Tracking the risk factors that could contribute to a serious crash can help you avoid experiencing a major motor vehicle collision on the Long Island roads.