See what Long Islanders have to say about our dangerous roads

On Christmas afternoon 2024, I was driving home from Suffolk County and encountered two sets of cars weaving in and out of traffic chasing each other on the LIE. Sadly, these cars were not intercepted nor pulled over on the roadway by police. It's time to have drones and other AI technology to support policing.

People think it’s ok to speed through residential areas, which includes delivery drivers and construction workers. The only solutions are to keep lowering the speed limit and putting more patrol cars in 35 mph speed areas such as Cold Spring Road, where everyone is speeding.

Lots of times I see people either going to work or returning from work driving recklessly. I believe they live too far from their job and are always in a rush. When I drive to my daughter’s at 5:30 a.m. in Suffolk County, I see people going through red lights like crazy. People pass on the LIE doing at least 80 mph and then driving westbound on the Northern State Parkway in the afternoon people are tailgating at dangerous speeds. Probably late for the afternoon shift in the city.

I moved to Melville after COVID. I travel on Route 110 and the back roads between Melville to Huntington. There are a lot of stop signs and red lights, and I am the only one who stops at the stop signs and doesn’t run through the red lights. I also have a handicap permit and every day I’m out doing errands, a car without a permit is parked in the spots. I’ve taken pictures of the cars illegally parked, and I used to call the local police department, but they never once came to do anything about it. I also received two school bus tickets on Route 110 where I did not pass the bus. These bus drivers are opening the red gates with either no warning or not enough warning on Route 110 in Melville where the speed limit is 45-55 mph. I barely drive now even though I’m middle-aged, I worry every time I get to a red light turning green on my side and the multi-corner stop signs. I worry every time I get to my first stop signs, it’s on the exit/entrance of my own block. The horror starts before I leave my block.

Driving on LI will continue to be a life threatening adventure until Newsday and our politicians address the elephant in the room – the sociopathic behavior of those who continue to drive after multiple license suspensions. Stories are with phrases like “ license has been suspended 17 (or 28 or 56) times.” The all time winner may be 95 prior suspensions in Newsday on Jan. 26, 2017. After driving for more than 50 years, mostly on LI, I have never had a violation that merited a suspended license nor have any of my family. Just how reckless do you have to be to attract the police on 95 separate occasions? At what point does a traffic violation become criminal behavior? Is it the 96th suspension or must we wait until the driver causes a fatal collision? Is there a politician on LI brave enough to propose a prison sentence for those who repeatedly display their contempt for society?

Every time my husband and I have to drive on the Southern State Parkway, we dread it. So many aggressive drivers and very little police presence, has to be the worst road on the Island.

Our roads were built for less than half the traffic they handle. Common sense solutions: Connect all highways flawlessly, connect Meadowbrook and Wantagh directly to the LIE. Connect Seaford-Oyster Bay(135) better to the LIE and Northern State. Create a new 347/Route 25 interchange and build 347/Nicolls Road interchange ASAP, add express lanes to 347 to by-pass Smithhaven Mall. The Meadowbrook/Northern State interchange is a mess and must be fixed. The interchange of Sagtikos and Southern State is DANGEROUS, especially Robert Moses to Southern State. We need to add traffic light timing sensors to Route 25, Route 24, and 347. We want slow, steady, safe traffic. And please change red lights to flashing red late at night. The better traffic flow, the less auto pollution and noise created. Focus on mass transit, the answer is so easy: Have the bus wait for the train, have the bus stop at the train station in time for the train. All police, fire,first responders ride ALL mass transit for free, Seniors, veterans are half price. We need a Robert Moses #2 who LOVES LONG ISLAND as I do!

This is very timely. I was just returning home, traveling in the right lane on the Northern State Parkway. A car was coming up the entrance ramp and traveling at just about the exact same rate of speed as I was. I couldn't move over to let them in and since I had the right of way, I held my speed, assuming the driver would ease off a little and merge in behind me, like a normal person would do. Instead, they kept speeding up to try and pass, but eventually fell in behind me. As soon as they had the chance, they sped up, moved into the left lane to pass, and then veered halfway into my lane about 10 feet in front of me before proceeding back into the left lane and speeding off. I assume they were trying to "teach me a lesson" but the only lesson I learned is that they were an entitled, unsafe jerk. This is hardly a unique experience. My brother (who grew up here but lives in California now) has been visiting for the past 10 days and just told me last night he hates driving around here now because the roads are old and the drivers are so aggressive. I don't know how you change that second part.

Express Drive South / Washington Ave Brentwood. There have been 11 fatalities at this location in my years as a member of the Brentwood Fire Department.

Forget about the parkways and the Long Island Expressway. My beef is with drivers who travel 50 mph on side streets and barely tap the brakes at STOP signs. This is a quality of life issue for the residents who live there and dangerous for kids, people backing out of driveways, etc. What these lawbreakers don't realize is that the added 30 mph that you are traveling is really not saving you that much time, based on the short duration you are on these roads to begin with.

As a driver that travels the highways, I find a lot of reckless and high speed drivers. Other people and myself that I know are traveling less to Nassau and Suffolk counties. These reckless people care for no one but themselves.

Reckless driving and excessive speeding on parkways and expressways are causing accidents to law abiding drivers. There is a need for the use of drones to film this reckless behavior and photograph license plates and coordinate with police and state troopers to apprehend these drivers and subject them to sizable fines and the possibility of impounding of these vehicles that are being used as weapons on our roadways. Also upkeep of signage on these roadways. There are directional and exit signs that have been laying on the ground for too long that need to be remounted Inexcusable!

Reckless driving and excessive speeding on parkways and expressways are causing accidents to law abiding drivers. There is a need for the use of drones to film this reckless behavior and photograph license plates and coordinate with police and state troopers to apprehend these drivers and subject them to sizable fines and the possibility of impounding of these vehicles that are being used as weapons on our roadways. Also upkeep of signage on these roadways. There are directional and exit signs that have been laying on the ground for too long that need to be remounted Inexcusable!

Driving on the Southern State Parkway is like taking your life in your hands!

I was commuting from Lynbrook to Smithtown for a few months until I did not want to risk my life coming home anymore. The Southern State Parkway west in the evening is a terrifying ordeal. Drivers speeding in groups of 2 or 3 whizzing in and out of lanes dangerously close to other vehicles with small to midsize souped up cars. You can tell it's intentional. They are putting their lives and others at risk. The police department needs a unit of unmarked cars traveling the parkways to stop this selfish act of using the parkways to seek thrills. It is unfair to citizens. Another issue are the motorcycle riders on the parkway. These people must have a death wish, one move by a vehicle and their life is over. These are the two major issues I have encountered.

The intersection of Stony Brook Road and Route 25A in Stony Brook is a truly difficult one to navigate. If you are traveling west on 25A, wanting to turn left and go south on Stony Brook Road, the eastbound traffic on 25A comes at you suddenly from around a curve, which makes it very difficult to make that turn safely. Similarly, if you are traveling north on Stony Brook Road and want to turn left, to go west on 25A, it's difficult to see the eastbound traffic on 25A coming around the curve, so you can turn safely. This intersection could use a real traffic light, with left-turn arrows.

Speed cameras should be installed on every overhead sign on all of the main roadways, much like they do in England. License plates are read, and then tickets are mailed to people committing infractions. I NEVER see police presence on the roads, including the very dangerous stretch of Middle Country Road between the mall and Selden, yet I hear the sirens every single day from my house for another accident. Drivers use turning lanes as passing lanes, make illegal U-turns wherever they feel like it, all because they know there are zero consequences. I no longer want to live on Long Island because of it. Sad...

I am a driver for a Babylon based limo company, I am on the Southern State Parkway, Wantagh Parkway, Meadowbrook Parkway, LIE, Northern State Parkway or Ocean Parkway daily doing jobs to the local airports. Morning rush hour on these roads begin at about 4:45AM. At that time you usually get the F-150's and GM pickup's doing no less than 75+ mph, driving recklessly with no concerns for others, and God forbid you are driving in their way in the left lane. Police are nowhere to be spotted or found, so it is one big free for all. I stay in the middle lane trying to keep up at 65mph, if some of these guys had wings they'd be taking off. I've had accidents happen in front of me probably at speeds of 80 mph when passing on the left and right . I've seen them hit and then physics takes over, like marbles colliding. It may not be so much the roads but the attitude of the drivers. It’s me first. If these drivers showed respect for others and drove at the speed limit things would be a lot safer. What these highways need are speed cameras set to issue tickets. That's it for now, I could write a best selling book.

They say acknowledging a problem is the first crucial step toward solving it—so thank you, Newsday, for raising awareness. Now, let’s get to work. Distracted driving has been highlighted many times over the years, so let’s set that aside for now. While we’re at it, let’s also acknowledge that our roads were never designed to handle this level of congestion. Instead, let’s focus on the penalties for aggressive driving: fines of up to $300 and up to 30 days in jail. Here’s a thought—start fully enforcing that 30-day jail time immediately. Problem solved in no time. You’re welcome.

I think allowing marijuana, drinking, speeding, no signal for changing lanes, discourteous drivers, and drivers who do not know the law is the problem. It feels like it is the Wild West on the Southern State, Sunrise, and LIE. Numerous times at the northbound intersection of County Line Rd & Sunrise Hwy in Massapequa, I am at the red light (NO RIGHT TURN) and the driver behind goes around me into the left hand lane to turn right. I think the problem is there are three police depts: Nassau, Suffolk and Amityville so which one monitors County Line Road?

Lack of enforcement. Newsday should investigate the number of tickets issued by Suffolk police. And why the total lack of technology. Is the police union against it?

The main problem is little to no enforcement of traffic violations by the police. The county now relies on cameras for many red-light runners and stopped school bus passers. Every day many vehicles are on our roads with “fake” cardboard license plates, some of which have been expired for weeks or months, or years, meaning there is a possibility the vehicles are uninsured and uninspected. A traffic stop by police could identify these violations, as well as unlicensed or suspended license drivers. Another contributing factor is poor roadway traffic design, whereas lanes abruptly end causing a surprise merge, or turn only lanes being used to bypass long lines of traffic.

Speeding is out of control on all roads, highways, local roads, and no one enforces the law. People are reckless and weave in and out of lanes. In part, I blame this on commercials advertising cars that are shown speeding. Not so long ago, there was a fatality of a man who was killed because two cars squeezed him in between them. This same incident copied the driving of cars in a commercial. From my living room, I can hear the roar of cars speeding on Nesconset Highway (AKA the raceway) and the police don't stop them. Something needs to be done to curb these reckless drivers in their muscle cars before more bodies line our streets.

Being a licensed driver since 1979 and a CDL A licensed since 1990 who commutes 60 miles to and from work in every possible travel condition, I have seen all manners of roadway stupidity. The most egregious being reckless testosterone-super speeders who treat the area as their own private thrill-seeking playground (often in the company of similarly indulged drivers) who gleefully blow through traffic and pass helpless other motorists like salmon in a stream. It's only gotten worse in recent years and is utterly infuriating!

I see a lot of people driving as they are looking down texting. If one of these drivers should hit my car, there will be damage of all kinds as a result.

I drive from Selden to Northport daily and during the two hour round trip commute, I observe speeding, going thru red lights, passing on the shoulder or on the double yellow, changing lanes with no signal and inches to spare, sudden turns with no signal, drivers using their phone as they drive slowly or come in and out of a lane. This is every single day with zero police presence. I also travel to Brooklyn on some weekends and observe many drivers on the LIE and NSP traveling over 80-85 mph, in and out of the HOV lane, aggressive tailgating if you’re only going 70, dangerous lane changes with the worst being in Nassau County. There is some police presence in the AM maybe 1 out of 10 times I travel to Brooklyn. There is no deterrent to doing whatever you want on LI roads - it’s very dangerous and you have to be very careful and hope the inches are in your favor as the crazy happens around you.

It has only gotten worse since COVID, when more people bought cars. But I do think there is little enforcement. When was the last time someone got a ticket for passing on the right? People make a big deal of the red light cameras and there has been a boondoggle with the school bus violations BUT I think it should be considered to have the cameras on highways to nail speeders and reckless drivers. They can be mailed tickets for violations and maybe after a while it will have an effect. Even though the drivers can't be known the insurers should be notified that their insured vehicle is driven this way. The rates can be adjusted or policies even cancelled and maybe some accidents will be avoided.

Inattentiveness by driver and excessive speed.

Driving on Long Island can be incredibly frustrating—there’s a serious lack of common courtesy and patience on the roads. Everyone seems to be speeding, tailgating, and constantly in a rush, making even simple maneuvers like merging or changing lanes feel dangerous. It’s like no one wants to let anyone in, and the overall driving culture feels aggressive and obnoxious. Honestly, if people were just a little kinder behind the wheel, it would make a huge difference. I want our roads to be safer for everyone. I understand that we all have busy lives and need to get where we’re going, but let’s do it safely. Not letting someone merge in front of you isn’t going to make you late. I also agree with other comments that speeding and police presence is absent. We all can do better behind the wheel.

All of the problems already pointed out are certainly true. However, no one mentioned alcohol??? Restaurants push drink "specials" encouraging people to have more than one drink with a meal. You can now even drink alcohol while at the movies. Why? And exactly HOW do these people get home?? Oh right...they DRIVE. Pot was always accessible but because the greedy states wanted more money, they made it easier for everyone to buy it locally...and these people now drive "high." How much is a human life worth? Get the police out on the roads more...pull them over...write tickets...contact car insurance companies and get their insurance raised... maybe even confiscate cars...???

I'm baffled by the amount of what I consider to be out of code vehicles. I see vehicles lifted to the height of a payloader with gigantic tires spraying rooster tails of water in the rain, so many colored lights, overly tinted windows (yes I know some are by prescription) cars that are deliberately "tuned" to make loud explosive backfires. The list goes on and on. Does the inspection process not exist anymore? Or is it just a rubber stamp for revenue? It would seem to me revenue from ticketing offenders would bring in more money but even so increase the safety of the roads as most of these drivers are aggressive and are oblivious to anything other than assuaging their fragile egos by driving some ridiculous version of a production vehicle.

My daughter Ciara was killed by a speeding driver on the Southern State Parkway on Nov. 5, 2022. The driver was high and racing another car doing 93 mph. My daughter’s best friend and her boyfriend died six days later. I travel the Southern State Parkway every day and I see the kids driving and racing in and out of cars at very high speeds, even going on to exit ramps and grass to pass other cars. This has got to stop. They put everyone’s life in danger, they have no respect for safety.

Speed cameras should be placed on every highway overpass across Long Island. Every time I’m on the highway, cars are speeding and weaving in and out of lanes to pass drivers respecting the speed limit. 95% of drivers are responsible, but the 5% who are not should have their license suspended and revoked after multiple violations.

I’m a crossing guard, and the biggest problem is distracted driving. I watch moms and dads making turns while texting on their cell phones. People sitting halfway down the block while the light changes to green because they are so involved with their phones. Individuals have been trained to be on their phones all the time. I see people cross the street looking down on their phones not at all worried if a car is coming!

What do I see? Idiots driving and posting pics of themselves, yapping on their cellphones and not paying any attention where they are going! Idiots changing lanes like racecar drivers, stoned and drunk, flirting with gals driving near them, raging against anyone driving a little slower or more careful. I hate driving, hate being a passenger, whether it is a quiet road or the parkway. Not enough police officers, not enough strict punishments in our judicial system. I say a prayer every time I get into any car, even my own.

I love driving, but I hate driving on local parkways, particularly the Southern State Parkway. Over the past few years, the numbers of careless, aggressive and outright dangerous drivers have increased, especially in my area between exits 13-20. We hear fire trucks and ambulances day and night more frequently than when we moved here 37 years ago. Driving that stretch of road makes me feel like I’m taking my life in my hands. Closing the NY State Troopers barracks at Exit 13 was the worst possible decision, in terms of safety.

I live in Patchogue and commute to Bayside, Queens daily. I see an accident every day. It’s mostly from reckless drivers speeding and swerving in and out of lanes without blinkers on, or drivers riding so closely behind that their faces are seen in the rearview mirror. I’ve had cars honk their horns and flash their headlights at me even when I’m traveling above the speed limit, which sadly has to be done because going too slowly is just as dangerous among all the lunatics on the road. Something has to be done because the saddest way to leave this life in on your commute to or from work.

We moved to LI two years ago. Having lived in other states, I have never quite seen anything like drivers on LI. There is not a prototypical bad driver, it cuts across all ages, genders, and races. However, there are clear themes. Drivers follow too closely for every given speed, doesn't matter if it is 97, 347, LIE or neighborhood roads. Second, speed. There is a blatant disregard for speed limits. Third, there are consistently reckless drivers. Best predictor of future driving behavior is past driving behavior, and we have to get some of these folks off the road.

I am a pharma rep and I do a lot of driving. Anyone who says engineering is the silver bullet is grossly misinformed. Aggressively speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving and a complete lack of police presence on the roads are why this problem will not get better. I am scared. We need solutions and not some wishful thinking. Aggressive driving will not stop unless there are laws in place to make them think twice about doing it. I'm so sick and tired of watching people die every day and our politicians do nothing about it.

I have witnessed many traffic infractions on my daily drives from Wading River to Westhampton. A day does not go by without a tailgater bullying me or a reckless driver pulling out in front of me. I am super careful, but I realize that it is only a matter of time before my luck will run out. I rarely see anyone pulled over for traffic infractions and have begun to believe that I am totally on my own on the highways. Speed limits mean nothing. The only solution to this chaos is better enforcement. Many disregard traffic rules because they know they are rarely enforced.

I drive a transit bus on LI here are the problems: red light cameras, congestion, poor lighting conditions, blinding sunrise and sunsets, traffic, impatient drivers, poor knowledge of traffic rules, cell phones, young inexperienced drivers.

Our roads were not built to handle the current population. The increasing congestion on are roads lead to frustrating delays and heighten the risk of accidents. Merging lanes are too short and everyone is in a rush. However, what truly concerns me is the amount of marijuana I smell when on the road. How many impaired drivers are out there putting themselves and everyone else at risk?

Arrogant, aggressive drivers beep their horn for you to get out of the way. There are short ramps on the parkways so if there’s a lot of traffic, a driver can’t move up. Meanwhile, there are always drivers honking.

Bethpage Parkway: An undivided road, 50 mph speed limit, NO guardrail. Eastbound Southern State Parkway: Exit 41A, entering traffic from Bayshore Rd/Robert Moses Causeway must quickly cross three lanes to exit to northbound Sagtikos Parkway. Southbound Wantagh Parkway: At Ocean Parkway, eastbound Ocean Parkway traffic often fails to yield at traffic circle and there’s poor signage in circle. Eastbound 25A at Centershore Road, Centerport: Blind left turn, no turn lane or turn signal.

I moved to Long Island nine years ago after having lived literally all over the country, and I have never seen such sloppy driving habits anywhere, which is saying something since I learned how to drive in Southern California! My theory is that most people have never driven anywhere other than the Island and have never developed the proper skills and habits that most other drivers in other places have. The crazy engineered roads here certainly don't help matters. There are intersections around the Island the likes of which I have never seen before. It's definitely a very different experience to drive here than anywhere else. Fortunately I developed defensive driving skills very young, otherwise I'm sure I would have been one of the casualties on the road.

Excessive speed and reckless driving on Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike.

There is no presence of police on LIE, Northern State Parkway. There should be at least even an empty police cares on these roads.

Interesting to find this article a day after I wrote to traffic director at the Town Of Huntington. My concern is Larkfield Road in East Northport. We haven't had a traffic study since 2009. And, I discovered there is not a set schedule on LI to do so. With increased traffic congestion, more accidents and zone changes which brought more traffic to the least restrictive industrial business district on a cross street that uses Larkfield Road for access, I can only hope my town steps up to the plate for the safety of its residents.

I have serious concerns about the safety of the westbound off-ramp at Exit 58 on the Long Island Expressway heading north. The current design of the off-ramp, with its sharp curve and limited visibility, creates a dangerous situation for drivers. As I come off the ramp, I am in the left lane. At this point I can not see. I now need to move ALL the way over to the right. As I am checking to my right to move over, I also have to look forward not to hit anything. I feel like I am in a real live video game that could end up bad. Please help. To improve safety, I urge the Department of Transportation to take the following actions: Remove trees and bushes along the off-ramp to improve visibility for drivers merging into the right lane. Install additional reflective signs and pavement markings, especially along the curve of the off-ramp. Implement a flashing warning system, similar to a school zone speed limit sign, to alert drivers of the upcoming merge and encourage slower speeds. I believe these changes will significantly improve safety for drivers using this off-ramp. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

I see people driving at incredibly high speeds, weaving madly in and out of lanes; there doesn't seem to be any enforcement, and I wonder constantly why we don't have speed cameras on the parkways. They would catch offenders, deter dangerous behavior, and certainly be a source of revenue.

I drive on Sunrise Highway to the Southern State Parkway every day to work in Queens. People are speeding on the Sunrise service roads (60 to 75 mph) and on the parkway (up to 85 mph). Many are ‘weavers’ going from the right lane, to the left lane and back at high speeds. Many tailgate. Last week, I saw a car in the middle lane miss being hit six times by six different cars that were speeding and weaving. The smell of marijuana is pervasive. Today the driver of a car behind me was looking down, not on the road, so I know he was reading text messages on his phone. He missed rear ending me twice. I slowed down and, luckily, he passed me. I thank God every night that I got to and from work unharmed.

Great East Neck Road from Montauk Highway to the West Babylon High School is a speedway for cars. Three people were killed a few months ago. The next day there was another accident. Prior to this a car left the roadway knocking down the nursing home sign and hitting a house nearly hitting the couple that lived there. The speed limit is 30 mph, but 45-60 is more like it. There is no enforcement and rumble strips were put down and are useless. Speed bumps are needed, not rumble strips.

Sunrise Highway exiting to the service roads can be challenging by itself, add 4 foot overgrown weeds to the event, and you have an unsafe preventable blind spot in your side mirror. I have called the DOT twice in the last two years. Their response was they only cut twice a season and do not use pesticides. Don't get me started on the litter.

I constantly see distracted drivers, aggressive drivers going over double yellow lines to go around people who are doing the speed limit, cars weaving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed, people who seem to be intoxicated and worst of all, zero enforcement of our traffic laws and no commitment from our public officials to improve road safety.

I am very distressed by the driving I see daily on Long Island roads. I see habitual running of stop signs, as if they are optional. Likewise, for red lights. Excessive speeding along with dangerous and frequent lane changes on parkways, highways, avenues, and the LIE. Drivers who are clearly using their cell phones while driving. Most disheartening of all, is the lacking presence of law enforcement to deter or ticket the offenders. With a teenager on the cusp of becoming a licensed driver, it gives me great pause.

Speeding and DWIs kill!

On the expressway, drivers don't know how to merge, crossing all lanes to get to the exit with no signals and cutting off trucks.

Speed limits are posted too high on secondary roads that go through intersections. Route 83 and Middle Country Road is one example. I think 55 mph is too high.

When did it become OK to load and unload tractor trailers with autos and other merchandise in the middle of the road in the center turning lane. I myself have had many near collisions on Jericho Turnpike (and other dangerous roads) with cars being unloaded in the middle of the day on the same roads listed as the most dangerous roads on L.I. This center turning lane is not designed or legal for this, yet the police pass right by while this is happening. No ticket for a violation or a warning given for this. Picture driving down Jericho Turnpike in the middle of rush hour and some car jockey is coming at you in reverse coming off a long car ramp off a car carrier. Cars are swerving to avoid cars and truck drivers, who frequently stand in the middle of the road to operate the hydraulics of the car carrier. This is done mainly because it is easier for the drivers rather than to enter the dealers lot to unload. The dealerships should have designated places to receive deliveries on their lot, but they rather load the lot up with standing autos, so the trailers have difficulty navigating the lot. I am a retired tractor trailer driver, so I know first hand why this is being done. Please look into this practice.

There is a spot in Hicksville that has signs intentionally misplaced, so cops can give out tickets. But there have been accidents there.

The highways can be very dangerous places. Aggressive driving is constant, especially on our highways. Cars weaving at high speed through traffic, often with little room to spare between other cars, and usually without using a turn signal. But the streets are not much safer. An ever-increasing number of drives do not use turn signals. For example, when they make a right or left turns, causing confusion at stop signs and traffic signals, when they change lanes and when they pull suddenly out from the curb. Courtesy on the road is a thing of the past. And many drivers have no respect and/or no knowledge of the basic traffic laws. The only option for safe drivers is to be hyper-vigilant, which puts the full burden on them. Finally, there is an every-increasing number of intentionally obscured license plates, probably to avoid red-light cameras and tolls. But obscuring plates also makes it difficult for witnesses to an accident to fairly describe a hit-and-run driver.

Southern State Parkway must use a camera type system to capture proof of these drivers weaving in and out of traffic at deadly speeds.

If you were to drive on the roads of Long Island for an hour or two, the problem would be obvious. It isn't the roads. It's the way people drive their cars with ‘reckless abandon.’ Secondly, you most likely would not see a police officer enforcing the law or the speed limit.

Thank you for your deep dive into Long Island traffic deaths. This is a huge issue that is not adequately addressed by elected officials who are only too happy to cave to legal pressure from self-entitled reckless drivers. Having moved here from another part of the country—one where traffic safety is taken seriously by both elected officials and by police—I have been appalled by this region's deeply ingrained reckless driving culture. I've kept up a steady cadence of pestering over the past seven years in an attempt to exhort policymakers and law enforcement professionals to do their jobs, but have been met with a collective shrug. Your work leaves me feeling reinvigorated. So again, thank you!

I read with interest your article on dangerous roads across Long Island. However, there is one particular violation that continues to grow as truck drivers are emboldened to drive in the left lane. One reason—-zero repercussions! No police monitoring at all. I’ve contacted AAA, my local and state representatives and anyone else who might listen. Simply take a ride on the LIE and you’ll experience it. If you take the Cross Bronx, the entire roadway has trucks in the left lane. Solution is simple. Put up license reader cameras and issue tickets. Revenues would be enormous. I have no idea why this problem continues to grow. Please help.

I read your article in Newsday last Sunday. I’m a lifelong Long Islander and I found the article interesting, but it seems to me the issue is really dangerous drivers, not the roads. I’ve been driving these roads for over 40 years, I still drive to work every day from my home in Bellmore and I see people driving like they’re playing a video game with no consequences, and that’s just rush hour. I see virtually no police presence, and there doesn’t seem to be a speed limit anymore. Until people are ticketed for reckless driving, blacked out windows, defaced license plates etc., it will only get worse. We use cameras for red lights and school buses, why not use them for speeding and recklessness on our roads.

Newsday’s investigation usefully reviews a chronic LI problem but finds no ready remedy. The section ‘varied reasons for peril on LI’ shows the plurality of reasons are but variations on the theme of human flaw. Speeding, phones, chemicals, risk-taking and aggression are not flaws in the roadway, but flaws, as Caesar reminds us in ‘ourselves.’ Thus, ‘designing roads for the people you have’ is no solution, for that is what we’ve been doing. Traffic engineer Wes Marshall heroically seeks to save us from ourselves, but might better use his talents to closing certain rights-of way, returning the space to public domain, zoning it for multifamily housing near existing public transit, favoring pedestrian over auto traffic. LI’s fundamental problem is its attempt to maintain it’s1940’s ‘car culture’ and it’s killing us.

The LI roads are extremely dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians. Protected bike lanes should be installed everywhere to keep them safe and encourage use. Crosswalks and bump outs should be made to protect pedestrians. Narrowing some roads will encourage motorists to slow down. Tougher enforcement on highways will also save lives.

The problem is that there is very little enforcement of speeding and traffic violations. Periodically, I see officers on the side of the highway, however, I rarely see them going after offenders. I won’t hold my breath for anything meaningful to come from this report.

Best to know what roads are the worst and what to expect.

It's more of what I don't see: police presence! Most particularly on our highways. Police need to be visible to serve as a deterrent to stop the crazy speeding, lane changing, and outright reckless driving. And if/when they observe a lawbreaker, they need to call ahead and have the next officer pull the offender over (thus avoiding a dangerous chase).

Traffic circles are far safer (with all the attendant savings to that), low or no equipment and maintenance costs, low or no energy costs, far more time-efficient for drivers, less idle times with fewer emissions and gas costs, lower travel speeds overall but faster arrival times. Why is America so in love with the traffic light and the ‘kill-zone’ traffic intersection? Why should we put up with all the human and societal costs when there is a simple solution that is in use already in much of the rest of the world?

Too much street racing and aggressive road rage driving the highways of LI. Law enforcement needs to be stepped up as has been observed by others, it's the wild west out there. Without a visible law enforcement presence, this will not improve.

Thank you for your work on this issue which is a grave matter of public safety and public health One of the most common topics of conversation among friends and family is the dangerous state of speeding in Suffolk. On any given work day, as one is traveling south on R. 83 over Bald Hill, one may be traveling at 55 mph to 60 mph. Passing on the right and left are other cars traveling at 70 to 80 mph without concern for safety, This is every day. Another issue is the ever-increasing number of kids on e-bikes and scooters. These are motorized vehicles. Kids are going 50 plus mph. They are traveling this fast in residential areas as well as on such roads as Rt. 112. Where is law enforcement?

Disrespect in general, especially for the rules of the road. And a lack of enforcement for speeding on the expressway. It used to be over 65 mph, and you would get pulled over, but now 70 is going slow. Cops don’t seem to care government would make a lot of money if laws were enforced!

People do not signal. People go way over the speed limit. People cross over three lanes of traffic on Sunrise Highway to get off at the exit. People have their heads down looking at the phone. Speeders cut in and out of traffic, there is a Sunrise Highway merge that is the worst I ever saw backed up at 5 p.m. they let offices change hours so not everyone is out of work at 5. It’s also a nightmare on the LIE. If you are not looking you will hit the car in front of you, too many trucks speeding too. It’s a nightmare driving here, Long Island needs to make another level on highways like the Verrazano.

Too expensive, I can’t afford to live here anymore. Traffic horrendous and dangerous, too many red lights that last way too long while others are too short. This place is dangerous to drive in everyone on phone at light you have to honk to wake them up and no cops around just a free for all driving. Nightmare.

Indian Head Road in Kings Park there is excessive speed mostly north of Meadow Road. That road has at least one death each year and many other both major and minor accidents, all due to excessive speed. From time to time, Suffolk Police Department puts in a speed sign on a trailer, and it helps tremendously. There needs to be speed cameras, and or at least “my speed” signs in two or three places.

For the past three years driving to my daughter's in Massapequa, every time I’m on the Southern State it’s like being on the Indianapolis 500. It just makes me wonder why with so many fatalities we are not seeing more state troopers.

Don’t act so surprised, go stand on any overpass on the Southern State Parkway, look five minutes on the eastbound side and five minutes on the westbound side. There you will see the answer.

I try not to cross busy roads. I live on a busy road with a 40 mph speed limit; most drivers on the road exceed the speed limit. Most drivers do not stop or even slow down for pedestrians. The only solution is stricter enforcement of traffic laws. If people know there is an area where they are more likely to get a ticket, they might obey the laws there.

My observation: Cars are driving too fast. I believe part of the reason for this is TV auto advertising. Almost all auto manufacturers show our young people driving fast on their advertising. They show them driving super fast, spinning their wheels and generally giving a feeling of thrill and excitement. When these young people finally hit the real world and are caught in almost constant traffic, they act out like they are on a racetrack. What can be done? Pass laws regulating auto advertising.

Speed, speed, speed and cars passing on the right. Hate to say it, but we need speed cameras on the parkways! When I travel at 55 mph cars, pick-ups blow by me like I’m standing still!

Two things appear to cause accidents on Long Island, especially in Suffolk County — excessive speed and atrocious signage. Several streets in Suffolk are not even signed. Drivers who are accustomed to our streets either have to slow down or utilize a GPS device to know where they are. Many drivers are very young or very old, mostly careless, therefore sometimes not as cautious as they should be. But the signage on the Island in general is not good, sometimes missing, and in general inefficient. Just saying.

I do extensive commuting on LI roads. Yes, people need to slow down. But as humans and living on LI, people are in a rush and stressed out. The police presence on LI roads do make a major difference, and they just have to be out on the roads. What I tried to do because I live on a raceway is alert the town officials and clear some of my property and all I got is deaf ears and fined by the town. That’s a major problem! What do you do? No one cares until someone(s) dies! Then still it’s an uphill battle. Why?

I’m 84 years old, and drive in our village and parkways. There are no driving rules, drivers do whatever they wish. Cross double lines, cut off cars, make U-turns wherever, even if again the rules. I was in California recently and never saw any of this. Need more police on parkways to catch these drivers. I can actually see an accident going to happen constantly.

Southern State Parkway has cars with tinted windows speeding and driving like they are playing a high speed video game. Drones can be used to spot these animalistic drivers. Italy uses speed poles to fine these drivers. We need to confiscate the cars of these drivers.

I drive from Shirley to Great River commuting to and from work. The biggest threat to public safety is driver accelerating the vehicles at speeds in excess of 70 mph toward congested traffic and changing lanes with less than a car length for clearance. It is need for speed. The need to get just a car length of advantage, no manner the risk.

I moved here from N.J., which has 'roundabouts so you never make a left turn. When I took the AARP Safe Driving course, their question was, what do you think causes the most deaths in accidents in Long Island. I didn't know the answer, but I assumed it had to be left turns. The teacher said absolutely more deaths are caused in Long Island by making left turns crossing three, four, sometimes five lanes! I go out of my way to make three right turns to stay safe!

I see people disregarding most safety regulations. I see people going through red lights and stop signs. At one red light, I saw three cars go through the green light and five went through the red light. I see people driving over the center divider. I see people tailgating at high speeds. I see people driving way too fast or way too slow on highways. I see people exiting the highway from the left lane when there is an exit lane that they can use. I see people pulling out directly in front of you from a parking lot. One of the most interesting things I see is when driving on the Southern State Parkway. There are solid white lines between lanes and signs that read, "STAY IN LANE." Every time I pass one of those signs, somebody changes lane in front of those signs.

The reason there are so many accidents is the way people drive! They run lights and stop signs and do not care! Even school buses cut people off! In the 10 minutes it takes me to get to work, I can be killed three times if I am not careful.

It's not the roads that are dangerous, it's the maniacs who drive on them.

On Sept. 11, 2022, at 12:45 a.m., my 26-year-old daughter Hanahn Mystique Benitez was struck and killed by a driver who just said he "saw nothing" and was not charged with anything. Not even a ticket. My daughter was almost seven months pregnant with a baby girl, who she was naming Winter. She was struck on the eastbound side of 347 and Terryville Rd. This tragedy has devastated her family, her twin brother, and friends. We are working with town and state officials to get Hanahn’s Law: DWD (Driving While Distracted) passed in her name that will change the investigating process in cases of fatalities at the scene of the incident. This will help current and future families get the justice and closure they deserve and need in the tragedy of a loved one in similar situations.

I live near the LIE and I hear loud cars racing and speeding almost every day. Always on the weekends early and late evenings and during the week as well. They are probably going close to 100 mph. It is very unsettling as you wait for the "crash" noise to happen. If there was a police car stationed between exits 56-58 they would catch someone on day one, and every day after that.

Too many cars using our roads as “speedways.” They weave in and out so close to other cars, just one little swerve and lives are on the line.

I just went before the Riverhead Town Traffic Safety committee this week with concerns for motorists and pedestrians on Route 58. The committee had no interest in resolving any of the safety issues I bought forth and referred me to my county legislator. I am waiting for a response from Leg. Stark.

The main problem is little to no enforcement of traffic violations by the police. The county now relies on cameras for many red-light runners and stopped school bus passers. Every day many vehicles are on our roads with “fake” cardboard license plates, some of which have been expired for weeks or months, or years, meaning there is a possibility the vehicles are uninsured and uninspected. A traffic stop by police could identify these violations, as well as unlicensed or suspended license drivers. Another contributing factor is poor roadway traffic design, whereas lanes abruptly end causing a surprise merge, or turn only lanes being used to bypass long lines of traffic.

The drivers are way more dangerous and concerning than the roads we drive on! No one DRIVES anymore! Everyone one is distracted in one way or another or driving impaired. People driving 90 mph or more are common, and frightening, sites on our major highways. Focus more on the drivers than the roads!

It’s not just drunk drivers. It’s the aggressive drivers that seem to think the Southern State Parkway is the Daytona 500. They drive well above the flow of traffic, weaving in and out, cutting off car after car. Living near the Wantagh Parkway, I hear engines roaring and shifting every night, sounding much like they are racing. If I see and hear this so often, it shouldn’t be that difficult for the police to find them, as well. Maybe we need less attention to the low-hanging fruit found by the red light cameras and more to the really dangerous drivers on our roads and parkways.

There is too much distracted, fast driving. Many do not follow the speed limits. They are aggressive, inpatient and will cut people off, ride too close and lately drive as though the rules of the road do not pertain to them. In neighborhoods again they drive fast, do not stop at stop signs and speed near schools.

Drivers are angry and aggressive. They don’t perceive the roads as shared community spaces.

Reckless driving, there’s no other way to describe it.

I am writing to express my deep concern over the ongoing and widespread issue of drivers disregarding stop signs on Long Island roads, speeding and overall disregard for traffic laws. This reckless behavior poses a significant danger to pedestrians, cyclists, and responsible motorists. While local news outlets have covered these concerns in select areas, such as Hewlett Lane and Cottage Court in Bellmore where residents have documented numerous violations, the problem extends far beyond a few isolated intersections. It is frustrating that attention to this critical safety issue seems limited to certain locations, while many other communities face similar dangers daily. More proactive traffic enforcement is needed to ensure the safety of all residents, not just a select few. The police must increase traffic patrols and take stronger measures to hold reckless drivers accountable. We cannot wait for a tragedy to occur before action is taken. I urge Newsday to shed light on this widespread problem and advocate for a comprehensive response from local authorities. Every resident deserves to feel safe on their streets and highways.

I see many people driving too fast, changing lanes without signaling, and too many motorcycles.

Just last night, traveling on the LIE, a motorcycle passed me and the cars. I estimate it must have been going at least 80 mph. This is common, especially now that it is getting warmer out and will continue. I live near the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway and can hear speeders constantly with loud mufflers and excessive speed. Also, people are constantly on their phones, looking down instead of watching where they are going. Nobody seems to care about defensive driving.

Now that the red light program has ended, almost every single time a light turns red, two or three cars run the light.

Too many drivers playing with their phones and people do NOT know how to merge. Half of the drivers on Long Island need to be retested.

There is a large part of the population who drive distracted. Driving with phone in hand, texting, not paying attention. People blatantly going through red lights and stop signs. Full disregard for the rules of the road. On top of this, you barely see any traffic enforcement! Middle Country Road is extremely dangerous for pedestrians. No safe place to cross. Vehicles speed all the time.

There are many reasons for the roads not be safe. I drive quite a bit between 50 and 100 miles a day. The top five things that are not making the roads safe in my eyes are: 1- Excessive speed, usually greater than conditions allow. The cars are simply too powerful for the roads in the U.S. 2- Distracted driving with smartphones and electronic dashboards and now cameras. 3- Minimal enforcement by the police. 4- Driver aggression whether it’s road rage or the more popular driver impatience and recklessness. 5- Poor roads in design, maintenance and not enough improvements to traffic. Here’s an example: In Hampton Bays, the town of Southampton reconfigured an intersection with traffic cones and police presence in the morning rush and what was an hour backup is cut in half or less. We need more of this. Also consider the new ramps on the Sagtikos south of the LIE. All those improvements and it still bottlenecks at the same inadequate overpass leading to Pilgrim Psych. Why? That should have been rebuilt and an extra lane all the way to Pineaire Drive. When these bottlenecks occur, drivers get frustrated and then do illegal and often dangerous maneuvers and people get hurt. Thank you for writing about it, but nothing will happen. The governor and the counties and towns will appoint some blue ribbon commission and pay millions for a study and then nothing will happen. Just like the last 40 years. Be safe out there.

Speed racers, non-signal users, ignoring traffic signals and tailgating are the most common offenses I see, and I drive on average 50 miles every single day.

Traveling along Sunrise Hwy. (east) from the last light in Lindenhurst until Islip is like driving on the Indy 500. The cars that pass me easily go 70 to 80 mph. The trucks fly down the middle land. If you are driving early in the morning, say 5 a.m. you might as well go on the service road because cars are in a race. In all the years I have driven this stretch of Sunrise Hwy., I have seen maybe five police cars. It is like I am taking my life in my hands when I drive this road. A guy came flying by me as I was doing 60 mph, he probably 80mph. I laughed when I met him at the next light in Islip.

I see speeding, weaving, running red lights. I was T-boned on 347, a car came out of the blue and crushed the driver-side door. Fortunately I wasn’t badly hurt, but the car was totaled.

The level of DWIs fatalities is alarming. Too many people are driving impaired, and many recklessly. The proposed mega casino will bring 10,000,000 visitors to the heart of Nassau County annually. The vast majority of these visitors will arrive by car, and many will leave the casino impaired and begin their drive home. This will no doubt lead to many more DWI fatalities. It would be gross negligence to allow this casino to be built in the heart of our County next to two colleges and a Catholic high school. Nassau County Executive Blakeman and our County Legislators need to wake up to this reality and stop this casino from being built.

The biggest issue is speed, and particularly those driving aggressively, harassing others by tailgating slower drivers (those folks trying to safely and follow the speed limit), weaving across two or three lanes (without signaling) so they can “get ahead,” and often cutting other drivers off, driving selfishly without any level of conscientiousness, and essentially being complete idiots.

Unchecked reckless driving, excessive speeding, tailgating, crossing double lines, HOV violations, disguised license plates and general lack of courtesies, no signaling and lane weaving dangerously. Where is law enforcement?

My road is a popular cut through, Pheasant Lane. We have asked for years for the town to put up stop signs. They will not because the town’s big trucks use this road.

How about the enormous potholes everywhere? The constant speeding this includes side streets and main roads forget the Southern State, or what about just no one stopping at a stop sign. It’s actually disgusting if you were to put a camera on the corner of Coolidge Ave. and North Plaza in Amity Harbor you will probably be stunned. I won’t allow my daughter to play in front of our house with or without me that’s how bad people drive. It truly is only a matter of time before someone gets killed and unfortunately it will most likely be a small child which is absolutely devastating.

It’s no secret. Anybody that drives on the Southern State Parkway holds their breath when one of the crazies zips in and out of traffic. All of the makeshift memorials for all those killed dot the side of the parkway as a reminder of how bad it is. All from reckless driving. Until more enforcement takes place it will go on and on. It’s all about a lack of enforcement. It doesn't happen as much on the LIE. Just the Southern State. Why? It’s behavioral and cultural and they know they can get away with it.

Speeding idiots on Peninsula Blvd. at all hours of the day. Same for the Southern State. This is open and notorious. No state secrets here. More enforcement and more severe penalties are needed.

Speed, weaving in and out, cutting off others and just plain disregard for other cars and pedestrians, especially 65+ mph in residential areas.

A driver on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale passed us on the right and cut us off, hitting the front wheel of our car with the left tire of their pickup truck. The driver didn’t pull over to exchange information, but we were able to snap a photo of the license plate. The police told us that a hit-and-run would carry a $250 fine, and they wouldn’t be able to pursue the driver since it couldn’t be proven who was actually driving. In my opinion, a minimal $250 fine in this case would encourage an impaired driver to leave the scene of an accident rather than suffer more serious repercussions.

Total disregard for stop signs and more drivers treating red lights like stop signs, stopping for them and then going through them if clear while the light is still red.

People drive very recklessly. On the Southern State Parkway, it's like the Indianapolis Speedway. People are very impatient and rushed.

Too many bad road conditions such as huge bumps and potholes.

Too many bad road conditions such as huge bumps and potholes.

Drivers have no consideration of other drivers; no signals, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, going through lights, rolling through stop signs. Driving on Southern State is a racecourse experience. I always drive about 60 mph and people fly by me doing at least 80+ weaving in and out, cutting off other drivers. I never see State Troopers on the parkway, so there is no one around to "watch" drivers. Same on the side roads. It's gotten to the point where it is just a free for all.

Recently, as I was exiting the southbound Meadowbrook Parkway at the Merrick Road (west) exit, a tricked-out pickup truck entering the parkway on my right failed to yield right-of-way. The vehicle was being driven very fast and very aggressively, forcing me to speed up and cut in front of it. This nearly resulted in my hitting a vehicle stopped on the exit ramp. This is but one example of how some drivers’ ignorance and/or disregard for proper etiquette and rules of the road poses a threat and potential danger to all of us.

I commute to Bayside from Bethpage and back to work four out of five days a week. Speeding and reckless drivers weaving in and out are a problem. Also, both trucks and people driving large SUVs and pick-up trucks have limited visibility and don't have courtesy and respect for drivers. Cars and trucks with heavily-tinted windows are also a problem, as well as people not putting on their driving lights when the sun is almost set.

I too often see police pulling people over, especially people of color, for non-safety related issues (broken taillights, air fresheners hanging from rearview mirrors, expired registrations, etc) while cars speed by weaving in and out of traffic. Policing the roads should be a safety issue not a fishing expedition looking for guns and contraband, an exercise that very rarely yields results. We have more than enough police to safely police the roads, they just need to focus on issues that result in accidents and deaths.

I’ve had two accidents on the Southern State in the past 15 years. One occurred by the Belt/Southern State (car lost control and hit me) and the other was by exit 17 (car clipped me).

As I see it, people are driving too fast, changing lanes constantly to go faster and following too close to the car ahead. Quite often this fast-paced speeding leads to what I call the rubber band theory where everyone is following close and driving so fast that it only takes one car ahead that slows up suddenly that everyone following ends up stopping. Crazy going from a speedway to a parking lot condition leading up to constant stop and go. It my mind, everything you learned in Drivers Ed should be constantly followed, otherwise the drivers are violating the law and of course putting everyone at risk. I like the attention to this your newspaper is trying to get across to your readers. Thank you.

First, the roadways seem more crowded throughout the day. For a number of drivers, stop signs have become optional. Trying to be polite to other motorists only occasionally results in a wave of thanks. It's as if some drivers feel entitled to have the right of way. Then there are the cars on the parkways/expressways that speed and change lanes without signaling.

Speeding on most major roads, and tailgating. Rare to see a police car on any road, including LIE, Northern State Parkway, 347, or Nichols Road.

Speeding, changing lanes without signaling, driving very close behind with bright lights on. No consideration, care or cautious attitude.

I observe daily reckless driving at excessive speeds. On Merrick Road, drivers are doing 50 to 60 mph. On Grand Avenue, drivers are weaving in and out of lanes. No one comes close to following the speed limit or traffic signs.

I see drivers racing each other, speeding in and out of lanes. They cut you off. The drivers speed up behind you and then tailgate. The Southern State Parkway is one of the most dangerous roads because of these practices. I try to avoid it if it's possible.

Different story, but trash, especially on parkway ramps. It’s looking like NYC.

1.) Drivers using the exit and entrance lanes as an extra lane to speed ahead of other cars in the right lane when in traffic. 2.) Drivers pulling around cars waiting for oncoming traffic at a short entrance ramp in order to get into the right lane. People not yielding on entrance ramps to right lane traffic, forcing traffic to slow down or stop to avoid an accident. 3.) People using the right lane at high speed as the passing lane. 4.) Fast and furious drivers speeding and changing multiple lanes around other traffic as if in a video game. 5.) Drivers cutting across three lanes of traffic right before the exit they want to take. 6.) Drivers not yielding to faster traffic in the left passing lane. 7.) Drivers not maintaining speed on hills and curves. 8.) Drivers not using their turn signals. 9.) Drivers rolling through stop signs. 10.) Drivers not using their headlights when it is raining or snowing. Newsday's next series should be about the deplorable conditions of the roads themselves, whether they are highways, parkways or local roads. Why is there no visible preventative maintenance done aside from constantly patching holes which do not last?

I used to drive at 5:30 in the morning on the Southern State to my job driving a truck for 10 hours a day. The surrounding drivers were high or driving 100 mph! Maybe both. My little car didn't stand a chance when they came within inches. I would kiss the ground when I got to work. It was even more fun when I got into the truck.

I see two big problems on our roads: 1.) Slow drivers cause other cars to swerve, brake hard, and perform dangerous maneuvers to get around them. Minimum speed limits must be enforced. 2.) Drivers at night driving with their high beams on or "high intensity" headlights. These drivers selfishly blind other drivers in oncoming lanes.

Driving is a privilege, not an inherent right. Respect others, the rules of the road, speed limits and understand flow of traffic, a disregarded concept. I rarely see a police officer, and I understand why. Let’s get back to a system that encourages respect for what they do and commit to punishing violators I grew up in a world of civility and common sense. It needs to be relearned.

The intersection of 25A and Stony Brook Road is about the most dangerous intersection I have ever encountered.

As a road salesman on LI for 40 plus years, I find the roads here horrible. Can we EVER figure out how to make drainage grates FLUSH with the roadway?! How about using overhead street name signs at intersections? Every other state has them! Some are even lighted! Or having MULTIPLE exits listed on parkway and expressway signs. This way, drivers have plenty of advance notice of their exits. Extending entry and exit lanes on our parkways would be a huge improvement. That every parkway on LI is not a MINIMUM of three lanes is insane! Especially the Wantagh from Northern State Parkway to Southern State Parkway and Northern State from Wantagh to 347. We keep building rental and housing units without adequate roadways. We also need to put guardrails along our parkways. How many more memorials must we see in front of trees? Slow traffic keep right signs would help too. Common courtesy is all but gone on LI. Add pothole repair too. I’ve been living here 70 years, SOS. Only thing that changes are our taxes, it’s shameful.

Some drivers go too fast.

Nichols Rd. from Blue Point to Rt. 25 should have flashing signs before overpasses warning of limited sight distance, be prepared to stop. Too many accidents during rush hours when drivers can’t see stopped traffic after overpasses. The minimum result is huge traffic delays from accidents.

Total lack of police surveillance on the LIE during rush hour, both Nassau and Suffolk County police. HOV buffer violations, trucks in the left lane and HOV lanes, reckless drivers passing people on the road shoulders and drag racing in and out of lanes – ROAD RAGE EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK. The only place you see police cars is off the side of the LIE in the woods under trees.

People driving aggressively and carelessly. Every day I drive in the Huntington area and I marvel at how poorly rules are followed. You are no more important than the guy waiting for the light to change. Why are you running red lights like you are a presidential entourage? This is on local roads. Out on the highways, I actually feel a little safer, at least there are no cross streets.

Aggressive driving is a symptom of the decline in civility. Another example can be seen in the attacks made on social media in response to innocent posts. The person who holds the door for you at the store is not the same person who will cut you off as you leave the parking lot.

Too many people and too many cars.

One key difference I've noticed between the Long Island and the boroughs is that pedestrians don't necessarily automatically get walk signals on the Island. Instead, one sometimes has to press a button in order to get the green signal, even at busy intersections. Some may not realize pressing the button is required, think they missed the light, and then cross when they don't have it. In the boroughs, I haven't seen busy intersections that don't give pedestrians the light by default. Additionally, I think crosswalks are generally not as well delineated here as they are in the boroughs, possibly leading some drivers to miss them completely. Finally, there seem to be much longer gaps between traffic lights on some main roads. On some busy roads, that often leads to pedestrians crossing in the middle of the street rather than walking what could be a considerable distance to the nearest light.

Driver inattention and lack of common courtesy is on the rise. People do not think that the rules apply to them, so they will drive dangerously in everything from changing lanes, to driving in the zebra stripes, or on the shoulder. I have seen people routinely make turns from the wrong lane including making left turns from the middle lane, crossing over lanes of traffic because they think that they can just make turns whenever they feel like it. People barely stop at stop signs or red lights or for school buses. They are not paying attention to pedestrians, bicycle riders, motorcycles, or other cars. There are literally accidents every day and people will just slow down to gawk the accident instead of just driving to keep traffic flowing. It is sad, disheartening, and just plain dangerous. I do not wonder why our car insurance premiums have gone up considering that the number of accidents has gone up exponentially, I pass at least one every single day.

Overdevelopment causes traffic and accidents. Our roads aren’t meant for the volume of cars, hence the nickname world’s largest parking lot for the LIE.

Most people are in a rush to go nowhere, tailgating speeding on side roads only to get to the traffic light not letting you merge in traffic, cutting you off, driving on the shoulder. Now that marijuana is legal, people are smoking it while they’re driving, you canyou smell it when you’re on the LIE.

There is no such thing as a dangerous road. Accidents are caused by driver error and/or pedestrian error 100% of the time.

Certain individuals weaving in and out of lanes, speeding in between cars to get ahead on parkways and roads, is become too common nowadays.

When I’m on the road I see people weaving in and out of traffic, cutting cars off, racing, disregard for traffic signals, riding bumpers and smoking pot.

There is an epidemic of high-speed tailgating on Sunrise Highway, particularly during commuting hours. 80 mph is the norm for many drivers in the left lane.

I typically travel east on the Southern State, north on the Meadowbrook and then east on the Northern State to get to my office. On these roads I consistently either see a) a driver who thinks they are in the Daytona 500 and are weaving in and out of traffic at speeds of 80 mph or more. (One time I witnessed someone driving between 2 lanes, not in a motorcycle mind you but in a tiny Honda.) or b) someone driving so slow that they are impeding traffic resulting in a chain reaction of mass lane changes behind that vehicle. I also rarely ever see a NYS Trooper patrolling any of these roads and/or enforcing the rules of the road. When I do see a Trooper they are usually sitting at an exit ramp on the Northern State with no actual view of the parkway. Enforcement of speed limits on the main roadways of Long Island would be a nice start in reducing motor vehicle deaths, in my opinion. These violators should have their licenses permanently suspended after fair due process. Strict repercussions should be had for the people driving without a license. People drive the way they do because they feel nothing will happen to them, and for the most part they are right. Until there is an actual deterrent to traveling 100 mph down the Southern State, it will continue to be a problem.

I left not too long ago, but my mother-in-law who is 83 and drives conservatively was on Sunrise (I believe in the Western Suffolk area) in the right lane when a driver in a Maserati tried to force his way in front of her to get around the car in the left lane. He wound up hitting her front driver side. He didn't get out of his car when they pulled over. She went to question him about his actions "why did you cut me off" and he just said "you're delusional, you cut me off. Even when the police showed up, he didn't get out of his car. Clearly, due to his post incident actions, he was under the influence of something aside from his pompous arrogance. People who drive like this without regard for others are the problem, and I've seen it more and more since 2020. (passing using the shoulder, trying to fight and squeeze between vehicles as they drive recklessly).There never seems to be a highway patrol or precinct car around when you need one.

This isn't about my hometown, but where I work. I work in Huntington Village. Nobody does anything about all the people running lights and stop signs. Every morning between about 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. there is a white Jeep that runs the light on the corner of Woodbury Road and Main Street Huntington Village area. There is a no turn on red sign there. They will go around the people at the light into oncoming traffic to do it. They almost broadsided a bus full of kids one day. Every morning they do this. They are going to end up in Citibank one day. Every morning there is also a woman that runs the light by Starbucks as well. She gets her Starbucks and then proceeds to run the light as well. Nobody in Huntington village cares about pedestrians, either. The Woodbury Road/Main Street Intersection is a tragedy waiting to happen. The cars turning right and left onto Main Street ignore the pedestrians in the crosswalk. This is with the white walk sign lit. There is a school on that corner. It should be safer then it is.

Speeding, speeding, speeding. Not obey school zone limits

Roads need to be maintained better and taken care of.

The comparison showing the fatality rates per 100,000 people is flawed. You cannot compare Long Island to NY State. Roughly half of the NY State population lives in New York City and most of them do not own cars. The comparison to the United States is more valid and it shows that Long Island's roads are much safer than the national average. I drive on the Southern State Parkway in Nassau County every day and I NEVER see enforcement despite witnessing cars speeding, tailgating and swerving between lanes all the time. Smartphones are a factor. Display screens in the vehicles are a factor. Marijuana smoking/ingesting is a factor (legalization of marijuana is maybe the single dumbest thing we've done in a generation). And of course, that old standby, alcohol.

I think what makes Long Island roads so dangerous is the speed that people travel. I frequently get honked at and tailgated when I go the speed limit. There's also a lack of looking out for one another as drivers. Drivers cut off one another, living very little room to spare. They do not let people merge. I think this creates very dangerous conditions. As for pedestrians, I've been noticing that people are not crossing at cross walks. They are crossing busy roads, waiting in the turning lane for traffic to clear. I've even seen pedestrians do this at night, when they're not as visible. I've been shocked when I'm driving and all of a sudden I see a pedestrian walking next to my car. I think that a lot of motorcyclists take risks too. When they weave through traffic, it could be dangerous because drivers may not expect to see them there. Overall, I think drivers and pedestrians do not realize that so many things can go wrong in just seconds, and it's always best to slow down and do things safely to mitigate risk.

Sometimes road design or deteriorating roadways cause drivers to drive in the oncoming lane to avoid potholes, or where numerous potholes have been repaired over and over. My job has me driving all over Farmingville and Medford and I can't help but to wonder how the town allows various businesses to open and have driveways that conflict or compete with each other, often causing an accident waiting to happen. Place speed cameras on major roadways such as the LIE. Catch someone doing 100 MPH or more, jail time and lose license in NY forever.

I think the use of elevated cross walks on roads where the speed is slow enough already can make for an extremely comfortable and safe pedestrian experience. Where the greenway is in Port Jeff, there is a road crossing where they have auto flashing lights and clear crossing signage, however cars rarely stop to let people cross even when there are the lights. As for major roads, designing our communities to keep people and cars on highways away from each other is the only way to stop the deaths. Integrating stores with our homes instead of all the stores being on one main road where everyone speeds can allow pedestrians to safely walk, well as cut the insanely high need for car use, which is one of the things that makes me rethink living on LI at times.

Overuse of traffic lights and double yellow lines vs dotted yellow lines. You can only regulate so much in the name of “safety” then you start over-regulating to the point that regulation induces drivers to become “angry” when driving because of slow drivers with the inability to pass or gridlock because of so many traffic lights. For example, I take the Port Jeff train to work, I have to go through SEVEN traffic lights when traveling 0.7 miles to the PJ train station. On the mornings I’m in a rush, I can see where I’m a bit aggressive on the road. Also, cops pulling people over on LIE during rush hour causes huge backups.

My wife and I are a one car family of retired senior citizens living in Commack. I often think how lucky we both are to go about our days unharmed by LI traffic. And then I remember being T-boned by a reckless driver approximately 25 years ago, less than 60 seconds from our home. I was hospitalized with a fractured sternum, my wife was also injured and our car was totaled. It was an awful experience, 60 SECONDS FROM OUR HOME. We are part of the frightening injury statistics highlighted in the series launched by Newsday. We need more enforcement that slows people down and operate their cars with safety in mind when they’re “behind the wheel” not arguments about “money grabbing” traffic controls.

Driving irresponsibly, incompetence and lack of respect for other human beings. Newer cars give many who are not responsible drivers a sense of confidence that is not realistic based on skill level. Driving is a team sport and many people have no sense of that!

Driving on Long Island is like playing a video game. Cars weaving in and out without regard to others, speeding, tailgating, sudden lane changes. Now, you must focus on what is happening behind you as you drive, in addition to what is happening in front of you. Our roads should be monitored by drones for offensive driving behavior, in the same way drones patrol our beaches.

Greed and selfishness. “Get out of my way.” When behind the wheel, many people seem to take on a different persona than they would otherwise. They forget about being kind, caring and respectful and instead want to intimidate others with their reckless driving tactics. Maybe speed cameras will make a difference.

I see people not yielding when entering a roadway, and speeding even on residential streets. When on a highway, I try to stick to the slow lane, but often get tailgated from those impatient to get to the next exit, even though I am driving the speed limit.

People drive crazily, go way too fast, don't use blinkers, and are generally selfish and mean on the road. The only moving violation being enforced is speeding, and you have to be going 20 mph over the speed limit to get a cop to even look at you. People on Long Island think cars come first, and for as long as they have that mindset, it's going to be dangerous for everyone who lives here.

Congrats on launching this important series. I don't own a car for reasons both environmental and financial, though I do occasionally drive or ride in my partner's car. I cycle from my home on one of Nassau's few protected bike paths to the LIRR Far Rock station, where fares currently cost $5.50 roundtrip to Penn or GCM. I bike all over Manhattan which has a superb cycling infrastructure. LI's roads are dangerous, because they're designed to move max number of single occupancy vehicles quickly. Thanks, Mr Moses! Safety improvements are possible, but driving is inherently dangerous and will remain the standard mode of transport on LI because there's no way of developing a rational transportation system in sprawling suburbs.

25A in Miller Place and Oakland Ave, two people in two separate crashes have been killed at this intersection in the last year alone. Not to mention another half dozen crashes in the last year that lead to serious injury. This is used as a through road on the north side for drivers to get to North Country Road. Drivers turning here often miscalculate the speed of the drivers going westbound. Others try to cross over five lanes of traffic with no light to get to Oakland Ave. on the south side. Nothing has been done.

I work at Stony Brook and take Nicolls Road from beginning to end. This road is EXTREMELY dangerous. I've been in two accidents in the last 6 years. Students are rushing to class at both SCCC and SBU. Workers are also rushing to get to the hospital. Something has to be done. This is DANGEROUS. Something has to be done.

Cars are weaving in and out of traffic on Southern State Parkway at very high speeds. They come very close to hitting the car in the lane they are trying to get in to, I call it buzzing. It is so scary because the car they come close to hitting will look like they are at fault, because the hit on that car is from behind. It happens multiple times in the same commute, every day. Scary and dangerous.

Yesterday I was traveling on Nassau Blvd. approaching Jericho Turnpike. I made a right onto Nassau because the light had turned red for oncoming traffic. I made the turn, expecting the oncoming car would obey the red light and stop. He didn't, and he was so angry at me, he sped ahead into my lane and stopped abruptly, so I had to stop abruptly. I gave him the horn, of course. What would you call this-testosterone induced psychosis? Male rage? Red lights are considered optional and impediments. How dare I expect him to stop at a red light? It will slow him down by 20 seconds.

I see far too many bicyclists, motorcyclists, dog walkers, and runners ignoring the rules of the road, not stopping at stop signs, walking, running and riding in the wrong directions. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

EVERYTHING makes Long Island roads dangerous. Yes, bad drivers are most of the problem. But many bike riders, scooter riders, skateboarders, and pedestrians are equally reckless. Road work also adds to the problem. Everyone must share the road and obey traffic laws. Police must step up enforcement. Construction workers should try to minimize delays and inconveniences for drivers. We all play a part in this.

Excessive speed. Lack of turn signals. Complete disregard for traffic signs. Lack of courtesy for pedestrians and other drivers. Failure to keep to the right.