As traffic deaths mount, Brookhaven drafts safety plan modeled on New York City's Vision Zero

A sharp rise in Long Island driving deaths has prompted Brookhaven officials to start planning a townwide traffic safety program.

Brookhaven joins Suffolk County and a handful of Long Island towns developing so-called Vision Zero initiatives aimed at nudging drivers to slow down by narrowing streets, adding bicycle lanes and upgrading traffic signals.

Statewide traffic deaths rose by nearly 26% from 2019 to 2022, led by Long Island, which had 245 traffic fatalities in 2022 — 164 in Suffolk and 81 in Nassau, according to a June report released by state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. 

Fatal crashes in Brookhaven rose 38%, from 37 in 2019 to an estimated 51 in 2023, according to data posted on the website of the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research in Albany. The data shows last year's fatal crashes killed a total of 55 people, including 17 pedestrians.

The institute said 18 fatal crashes last year involved alcohol, 29 were drug-related and 16 were due to excessive speed.

Fourteen people have been killed in 14 crashes in Brookhaven since Jan. 1, according to a Newsday database of fatal crashes reported by police.

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico said the town is considering myriad solutions, including crackdowns on distracted and impaired driving.

“Every neighborhood I talk to has speeding issues,” he said. “Everybody needs to put down their phone ... and slow down in residential communities.”

The town board voted 6-0 on Aug. 8 to hire a Florida-based consultant, NV5, to draft traffic safety recommendations. The company will be paid $475,000, 80% of which is covered by a $380,000 grant from the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program, Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro announced last year. 

NV5 also will create a list of at least 55 intersections where safety improvements are most needed, Panico said, adding that the draft safety plan will make Brookhaven eligible for millions more in federal grants to implement the program.

The speed limit on town roads is 30 mph, Panico said, adding he doubted it would be lowered.

New York City cut traffic-related fatalities by more than 12% after adopting a Vision Zero plan in 2014, city officials said in February. The city plan included bike lanes and reducing the speed limit to 25 mph on most city roads. 

Suffolk County last year launched a Vision Zero plan focused on road improvements, and Huntington Town officials have announced a $200,000 plan to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety near schools and parks within the town. Islip and Oyster Bay officials also are exploring Vision Zero initiatives.

Experts say the most effective traffic safety improvements include design upgrades, such as modifying crosswalk countdown timers and adding "calming" measures such as on-street parking and narrower roads.

“You’re forced to drive slower,” said Eric Alexander, director of Northport nonprofit Vision Long Island, which advocates road safety improvements. “When you have a wider lane, you’re comfortable driving faster, so you want to make the driver uncomfortable.” 

Alec Slatky, AAA Northeast's managing director of public and government affairs, said reducing speed is key to improving safety, adding that fewer crashes would mean fewer injuries and deaths.

“If you live on Long Island, you know someone who’s been seriously impacted by a crash,” he said. “What worked in the city is not necessarily going to work in Medford and Port Jefferson … but let’s do everything we can to get these numbers down.”

With Brianne Ledda, Deborah S. Morris and Joseph Ostapiuk

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.