Long Island Traffic Crisis Draws Federal Attention
Every seven minutes on Long Island, a serious car accident can change lives dramatically.
For a decade, Long Island has stood out for having some of the most perilous roads in the nation. After persistent urging from Rep. Laura Gillen and alarming crash statistics, the federal government has now pledged to address this traffic crisis.
In a letter to Gillen, U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy stated his agency would collaborate with state traffic authorities to analyze the spike in accidents and explore ways to lower the unexpectedly high rates of driver fatalities.
“These resources will be employed to better understand and diminish traffic accidents on Long Island,” Duffy noted in May.
Earlier this year, Rep. Gillen reached out to Duffy, urging the U.S. Department of Transport to delve into the issue. In her correspondence, she referenced a Newsday investigation highlighting that a serious crash occurs every seven minutes along a 118-mile stretch on Long Island, resulting in more than 16,000 injuries (around 1,600 annually) between Nassau and Suffolk counties from 2014 to 2023.
“The department is committed to partnering with you to eliminate fatal crashes and achieve that goal,” Duffy responded.
The federal government has previously coordinated with state agencies to identify high-crash areas and provide safety grants. Duffy emphasized that his agency is now working more closely with the state’s Department of Transportation and the Long Island safety board.
However, the state DOT has not confirmed any discussions with federal transport officials.
The federal government allocates funding and establishes certain road safety standards; yet, the roads on Long Island are managed by various local and state agencies, leading to some confusion regarding accountability.
Gillen, a Democrat, contended that this shouldn’t excuse inaction.
“The alarming rise in fatal car accidents over the last decade demands urgent federal attention and intervention,” she stated. “We can—and must—do more.”
Lawmakers have been urging towns, villages, and counties on Long Island to seek grants through federal initiatives aimed at safer streets and roads, which can offer up to $25 million for safety enhancements and road design improvements.
The deadline for applications is June 26th.
Additionally, Duffy mentioned that Long Island has already received $1.2 million in federal funds this year from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for traffic enforcement and local safety initiatives.
On the state level, officials noted several ongoing or recently completed safety projects, including a $7 million upgrade of the intersection at Valley Stream and Huntington, as well as a $27 million redesign of exit 53 on the Long Island Highway.
