Making Long Island's roads safer in four steps

Long Island is one of the worst regions in the state for motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian/cyclist deaths and injuries, with data moving in the wrong direction — despite all attempts to improve the situation.

But we can make our roads safer.

The first step is collaboration and coordination of advocacy efforts. In my decades of advocating for safer streets, it is when police departments, engineering firms, and educators work together that positive change occurs.

The public are advocates, too. Heart-wrenching stories from family members who have lost a loved one or now care for a family member who is a quadriplegic can inspire action, resulting in new laws and safety regulations but only after years of advocacy and frustrating starts and stops. My experience as an advocate and educator helped convince the New York State Legislature to pass the first seat belt safety law in the nation, which went into effect in 1984. This law and its enforcement has resulted in thousands of lives saved, even if there is not yet 100% compliance.

There is more legislative work to do. One bill languishing in Albany would close New York’s drugged driving loophole. To charge an impaired driver, police must name the exact drug ingested and confirm it is on a preexisting list. If the driver refuses to name the drug or take a toxicology test, they cannot be charged. Drugged driving is the primary factor in about 35% of crashes. The bill would allow more people to be charged and deter others from driving impaired by any substance. New York is one of four states that uses a drug list.

Another measure would install speed limiters — devices that force reckless drivers to not exceed any given speed limit by more than 5 mph. The proposed law targets drivers who have at least six speeding or red-light camera tickets in a year or who get 11 points on their licenses over two years.

The second step is enhanced law enforcement. Local police and state police patrols of our roadways would offer much help; Suffolk County's pledge to increase highway patrol staffing is welcome news. Village police patrol smaller areas, know their communities and roads, and care about safer streets. The State Police patrol parkways and are incentivized with state funding to do enforcement beyond their regular tours. Data supports that enhanced enforcement occurs when incentives are involved.

Step three is convincing drivers to drive better. That’s why red-light cameras are not all bad. They call attention to bad behavior. Cameras strategically placed at the deadliest intersections and backed by data would counter the belief that these cameras are just a “money grab" for localities. Why not place movable cameras, such as those used in work zones, in locations where multiple fatal crashes have occurred on highways like the Southern State Parkway?

Incentives are another way to elicit positive behavior change. Insurers can enhance reductions in premiums for A+ drivers, and bestow awards or premium credits for safe-driving milestones.

Step four is beefing up education efforts. Focus more intently on state traffic safety laws in driver's ed classes. These laws promote safety of all road users — pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Older drivers could be randomly selected to have their driving skills retested. Mandating a refresher course, held in person, for all older drivers is another solution.

This is the kind of unified holistic approach we need to make Long Island's roads safe.

This guest essay reflects the views of Cynthia Brown, executive director of the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety.