Long Islanders: 7 confusing spots for drivers

Following on the heels of several high-profile wrong-way driving cases, Newsday asked our readers to share what they see as potential trouble spots.

These Long Island highway entrances were identified by Newsday readers and a driver advocate as potentially confusing to motorists or as spots where wrong-way driving is often witnessed.

Newsday gave the list to the state Department of Transportation and asked what could be done to improve conditions at these locations.

Here is regional DOT spokeswoman Eileen Peters’ full response:

“As most Long Islanders are aware, the Northern and Southern State parkways were designed according to the engineering standards of the 1940s. Over the decades, NYSDOT has made substantial improvements to the parkways and the ramps that exceed current federal standards, including installation of double-mounted entrance and exit ramp signs on both sides of each ramp, reflective pavement markers, and large pavement arrows indicating the correct direction. NYSDOT traffic safety engineers will carefully evaluate the locations cited by Newsday to determine if any sign or warning replacements or repairs are needed.”

1. Lakeville Rd./Marcus Ave. & Northern State Parkway

A driver on Lakeville Road who wants to go east on the Northern State Parkway must get on Marcus Avenue, heading east. To get on the Northern State, the driver must make a left across traffic to get on the parkway’s entrance ramp, which is adjacent to an exit ramp from the Northern State. There is a stop light on Marcus Avenue, but the rampways are close together.

Mara Jacobowitz, reader, North Woodmere

2. New Hyde Park Road and Northern State Parkway

A driver headed north on New Hyde Park Road who wants to go west on the Northern State must make a left across traffic onto the entrance ramp, which runs adjacent to an exit ramp from the Northern State.

Mara Jacobowitz, reader, North Woodmere

3. Roslyn Road and the LIE South Service Road

Drivers leaving a gas station located at the southeast corner of this intersection or drivers going north on Roslyn Road sometimes make a left and go west into oncoming traffic on the South Service Road, which is eastbound.

Joe Portillo, reader, Glen Cove

4. Old Country Road and Wantagh Parkway

A driver headed east on Old Country Road who wants to go south on the Wantagh Parkway has to make a left across traffic to get on the parkway’s entrance ramp, which is adjacent to an exit ramp from the Wantagh.

Rhonda Piemonte, reader, Lido Beach

5. Hempstead Turnpike and Wantagh Parkway

A driver headed east on Hempstead Turnpike who wants to go south on the Wantagh Parkway must take Bellmore Road to get to the parkway’s entrance ramp. That ramp’s entry is just beyond the parkway’s exit ramp, and both are at a bend in Bellmore Road where there is a nearby stop sign. A confused driver could go right at the stop sign and head into traffic on Bellmore Road, which could cause the driver to turn into the parkway’s exit ramp.

Tony Simonelli, reader, Massapequa

6. Round Swamp Road and Northern State Parkway

A driver on Round Swamp Road who wants to go east on the Northern State must navigate exit and entrance ramps that are adjacent to one another, with lanes separated only by double yellow lines.

Robert Sinclair Jr., American Automobile Association of New York

7. Connetquot Avenue and Sunrise Highway

A driver headed south on Connetquot Avenue who wants to go east on Sunrise Highway must make a left across traffic onto the highway’s entrance ramp, which is adjacent to an exit ramp from the Sunrise.

Angel Perez, reader, East Islip