Most Dangerous Roadways in New York

True New Yorkers navigate the city on foot, call a cab or ride the train. There are people who've lived in NYC their entire lives without getting a driver's license. With the decline of violent crime, pedestrians are now more likely to be killed by a stranger behind the wheel of a car than a stranger with a gun. In fact, more than 1,200 pedestrians died in car wrecks in a recent three-year span. Most of these accidents occur in multilane thoroughfares, so as a rule of thumb you are safer sticking to side streets. To help you roam The Capital of the World in safety, FindLaw has created this guide to the most dangerous roads for pedestrians in New York City.

Long Island

Hempstead Turnpike
The 16-mile stretch of the Hempstead Turnpike on Long Island may be the single most dangerous road in New York City. Between speeding drivers, lack of crosswalks and the appalling condition of the asphalt, SR-24 claims the death of pedestrians and motorists alike making it the most dangerous road in New York five years running. Protect yourself by avoiding this road altogether. If you must use it, make sure you don't jaywalk and interpret crosswalk signals literally.

Sunrise Highway
Another east-west State Road in Long Island besides Hempstead Turnpike turns out to be deadly for pedestrians. SR-27 also suffers from the lack of sidewalk and atrocious road conditions, including long stretches of darkness where streetlights have burned out without being replaced. Try to avoid this road near Green Acres Mall in particular.

Jericho Turnpike / Middle County Road
To no one's surprise yet another Long Island state road appears on the list of deadliest roads for pedestrians.

Manhattan

Upper Broadway
Thirteen people died on Broadway between 2008 and 2010, and almost all have occurred above 96th St. In particular avoid Washington Heights, where motorists accessing the George Washington Bridge are especially dangerous.

Henry Hudson Parkway
It may be scenic but a number of pedestrians have been struck and killed on Henry Hudson over the past few years.

Bronx

Broadway
Broadway continues its nasty reputation further north, taking a toll of numerous pedestrians in a recent three-year span. Avoid walking along Broadway, period.

Grand Concourse
The biggest risk on Grand Concourse is crossing the street without the benefit of a crosswalk. This road is extremely wide, which encourages people to drive at high speeds and makes it difficult to cross safely.

Brooklyn

Neptune Avenue
As one of the shortest roads on this list, Neptune Ave. has an alarming fatality per mile ratio. You'd be smart to avoid biking along Neptune too.

Queens

Woodhaven Boulevard
Oddly enough, the "Boulevard of Death", Queens Blvd., has not lived up to its unfortunate reputation in recent years. Instead, Woodhaven Blvd. has claimed the lives of the most pedestrians. The major issue is the lighting conditions, or lack thereof. In particular, avoid the intersection at Jamaica Ave. if at all possible.

Staten Island

Hylan Boulevard
Compared to other boroughs, Staten Island is fairly safe for pedestrians with one exception. Don't cross Hylan Blvd. without a crosswalk and a walking signal if you value your safety. In particular, take care at the New Dorp Lane intersection.