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Most Dangerous Roads in Westchester County
- Taconic State Parkway: The Taconic State Parkway in New York has the highest number of fatalities of any road in state history. The parkway runs for 104 miles in a north-south direction between the Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County and Chatham in Columbia County, making it the longest parkway in the state. Between July 2011 and July 2014, the parkway saw more than 2,000 crashes, most of which occurred in Westchester County. Many of these accidents involve wrong-way driving, often caused by alcohol use. Additionally, the flow of drivers heading towards Manhattan creates heavy congestion, and weather conditions add to hazards on the narrow, winding road.
- State Route 9A: An auxiliary route of U.S. Route 9, New York State Route 9A is 47 miles long and runs north-south between Manhattan and Peekskill. Due to traffic congestion, the road sees a high number of accidents.
- U.S. Route 6: U.S. Route 6 spans more than 400 miles from Pennsylvania to Ohio, including nearly 80 miles in New York. The road sees heavy interstate traffic, and many drivers become easily confused about merging or driving the correct way on the route. Others do not use appropriate caution at intersections and cannot adequately see cars coming as they turn, further contributing to accidents.
- Saw Mill River Parkway: This limited-access parkway runs almost 30 miles through Westchester County. Its proximity to the Taconic State Parkway and other major roads creates dangerous intersections with frequent crashes.
- Cross Country Parkway: This parkway is a 4.46-mile controlled-access parkway in lower Westchester County.
- I-287 (Cross Westchester Expressway): This major east–west interstate runs across central Westchester County, connecting I-87 (New York State Thruway) to I-95 and Connecticut. It has heavy commuter and truck traffic, frequent congestion, and multiple merging zones. Areas near White Plains, Harrison, and Port Chester often see crashes, especially during rush hours or bad weather.
- Bronx River Parkway – One of the oldest parkways in the U.S., the Bronx River Parkway runs north from the Bronx into southern and central Westchester, including Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, and White Plains. The road is narrow, has sharp curves, and can become slippery during rain or snow. Older design features also make it less forgiving for modern driving speeds. There are frequent accidents, especially near on/off ramps and during peak traffic hours.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Westchester County
- Intersection of Route 22 and Cross Westchester Expressway
- Intersection of Commerce and Elmwood Avenue
- Intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Route 141
- Intersection of Route 9A and North State Road
- Intersection of Route 202 and Route 35
- Intersection of Maple Avenue and Bloomingdale Road
What Causes Fatal Accidents on Westchester Roads?
Most accidents on Westchester County roadways are caused by driver negligence, but dangerous stretches of road, heavy traffic, and hazardous intersections also contribute to the crash count. Some roads and intersections in the county are more dangerous because of conditions like a lack of traffic lights and stop signs, driver blind spots, faded lane lines, and a lack of turn lanes. Other common causes of fatal accidents on Westchester roads include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Poor lighting
- Hazardous weather conditions
Get Legal Help After a Car Accident in Westchester County
Safety Tips for Preventing Crashes on Westchester Roads
Many car accidents in Westchester County are preventable when drivers follow traffic laws and stay focused on the road. Some tips for preventing accidents even on the most dangerous, congested roads include:
- Focus on the road and eliminate distractions.
- Be prepared for hazardous road conditions like heavy traffic, bad weather, and construction.
- Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Obey all traffic laws, like speed limits, and always wear your seatbelt.
- Maintain a safe following distance behind other vehicles.
- Use your turn signal for every turn and lane change.
- Stop completely at red lights and stop signs.
- Look both ways before entering an intersection.
- Yield to aggressive drivers and drive defensively.
Injured in a Westchester County Crash? Lever & Ecker Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident on a Westchester County roadway, you have options for pursuing compensation. At Lever & Ecker, our award-winning Westchester County car accident lawyers have more than 70 years of combined experience helping accident victims get back on their feet. We take a hands-on approach to every client’s matter, guiding them through each step of the legal process so they can focus on healing.
With offices in White Plains, Lever & Ecker serves injured people throughout all of Westchester County, and the surrounding cities. We make home and hospital visits, so if you cannot come to us, we will come to you. To get started today with a free consultation, contact Lever & Ecker online or by calling one of our New York offices:
- White Plains: (914) 268-6996
