Traffic Fatalities Rose Sharply Across NYS From '19 to '22

Long Island Morning Edition

Support WLIW-FM with a donation today!

Traffic fatalities rose sharply across New York between 2019 and 2022, with Long Island leading the surge, as risky behaviors such as speeding and drunken driving spiked since the pandemic, according to a new state report. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that in 2022, there were 1,175 motor vehicle fatalities statewide, the highest in a decade and up nearly 26% from 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide, traffic-related deaths increased nearly 17% during that period.

Long Island led the state with 245 traffic fatalities in 2022, including 164 in Suffolk and 81 in Nassau, the report shows.

Suffolk in 2022 also led the state in the number of fatal crashes involving a driver who was distracted, speeding, drunk or with occupants not wearing a seat belt, data shows.

Suffolk and Nassau ranked numbers one and two, respectively, in motor vehicle fatalities statewide every year since 2008, federal data shows.

The spike in fatalities, experts said, is linked to an increase in risky behavior since the pandemic, including speeding, running red lights, changing lanes aggressively and texting while driving.

Most fatal crashes, the report found, occurred on expressways and freeways and often involved occupants not wearing a seat belt and motorcyclists not wearing a helmet.

In a statement, Suffolk police said they have increased enforcement at high-crash locations and target aggressive and distracted driving, the leading causes for fatal crashes.

Despite the recent increase in traffic fatalities, New York ranks 11th nationwide, trailing California, Texas and Florida, per NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

***

In the wake of last night’s debate during which the incumbent’s performance was headlined by the NY TIMES as “fumbling…prompting a wave of panic among Democrats and reopening discussion of whether he should be the nominee at all”, President Joe Biden and first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, are scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the president’s reelection campaign in East Hampton Village tomorrow. Christopher Walsh reports on 27east.com that an invitation from the Biden Victory Fund lists the Saturday afternoon reception’s host committee as Barry and Lizanne Rosenstein, Nicole and Michael Fox, Stacey and Eric Mindich, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, and Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox.

The time of the reception is to be announced and the address given upon RSVP, but an emailed invitation indicates that the Rosensteins are hosting the event. Bloomberg Government reported this month that the fundraiser would take place “at the oceanfront estate” of the Rosensteins on Further Lane in East Hampton.

Tickets for the event range from $3,300 for a “supporter,” to $250,000 for a “chair,” which includes a photo line for two people and preferred seating. Supporter tickets were sold out as of Tuesday. Other tiers included “friend” for $6,600; “advocate” at $10,000; “champion” at $30,000, which includes a photo for one person and preferred seating; and “co-host” and “host” at $50,000 and $100,000, respectively, both including a photo for two and preferred seating.

Local, state, and federal officials have been tight lipped about details regarding Air Force One’s arrival and the president’s itinerary this weekend in THE HAMPTONS.