Speeding, Driver Impairment Blamed For Most Fatal Southern State Crashes
MERRICK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - New York State officials have confirmed that speeding and driving while impaired are the leading causes of fatal crashes on the Southern State Parkway through Nassau County, which happens to be Long Island's busiest stretch of roadway.
Residents are calling for help.
"If they show the digital speed signs as a deterrent maybe, cause it's definitely the speed that's the issue," one man told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.
Speeding, Driver Impairment Blamed For Most Fatal Southern State Crashes
State DOT figures show 29 fatal crashes on the stretch between 2007 and 2011, killing 34 people.
A man named Eric calls it the "Southern Snake" for all its slithering curves.
"It's always turns If you're not paying attention, boom, you fly right off the road," he said.
A guard rail replacement project is planned for the deadly stretch.
Just this Sunday, two people were killed when a speeding car went off the highway into trees in North Merrick.
