State report: Long Island leads state in number of traffic deaths

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The number of people dying in car accidents in New York is at the highest level in a decade, according to a recent report by the state Comptroller’s Office. Long Island is leading the state in the number of traffic deaths, especially in Suffolk County, and there have been several crashes just within the past two weeks. Drivers are halfway through the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which are nationally known as the most dangerous time for teen drivers. The state comptroller’s eye-opening report warns that traffic fatalities are rising for everyone. “Almost 1,200 people in the state were a fatal victim of a car accident in 2022 and of those fatalities, fully 20% were on Long Island,” said Maria Doulis, deputy comptroller in the Division of Budget and Policy Analysis. The report finds that 164 people died in a crash in Suffolk County and 81 people died in Nassau County in 2022. Team 12 Investigates reviewed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and uncovered a 40% spike in traffic deaths on Long Island since 2019. “Speeding and driving under the influence have been the largest share of fatalities going way back, but the numbers have really grown in this post-pandemic period,” Doulis said. According to the report, Suffolk County had more fatal crashes involving a distracted driver, speeding, and DWI than any other county in the state. However, there is another major risk factor that experts are seeing. A spokesperson for AAA tells Team 12 Investigates that they are seeing an alarming increase in crashes caused by unsafe lane changing. “I think that has to do with a lot of the aggressive driving we’re seeing out there,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA. “People weaving in and out of lanes, tailgating, so that’s why it’s really important to pay attention to threats that might even be coming from behind you.” The state comptroller’s report also found more people died in crashes on Long Island because they were not wearing a seatbelt or helmet "