What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in New York?

Every day, millions of New Yorkers hit the road — commuting to work, running errands, or simply trying to get from point A to point B. While these roadways connect the vibrant communities across the Empire State, some stretches have earned notorious reputations as the most dangerous roads in New York.

At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, our New York State car accident lawyers represented countless victims who have suffered serious injuries on these hazardous routes. Our decades of experience successfully handling accident cases have given us unique insight into which roadways pose the greatest risks to motorists.

New York City Car Accident Statistics in 2025

Traffic data revealed 41 traffic deaths during the first three months of 2025 in New York City. While this represents a historic low compared to previous decades — a testament to the city's Vision Zero initiatives — the number remains deeply concerning. Each of these fatalities represents a preventable tragedy, highlighting the ongoing challenges in making the city's streets safer for all who use them.

Despite significant infrastructure improvements and enforcement efforts, the high traffic volume combined with complex intersections continues to create conditions where even minor errors can lead to serious collisions.

Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in NYC

New York City's dense urban landscape presents unique challenges to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. With over 6,000 miles of streets spanning five boroughs, certain roadways and intersections have gained notoriety for their accident rates and hazardous conditions. From congested Manhattan avenues to fast-moving outer borough highways, these locations demand heightened awareness from all who traverse them. Based on collision data, design flaws, and traffic patterns, the following roads and intersections consistently rank among the most deadly ones in the city.

Upper Broadway (Manhattan)

The stretch of Upper Broadway, particularly between 155th and 178th Streets, creates a perfect storm of challenging conditions. Narrow lanes, frequent double-parking, and delivery vehicles competing for space make this corridor particularly hazardous. The combination of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists in this congested area requires extreme caution from all road users.

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The George Washington Bridge Approach (Manhattan/New Jersey)

The approaches to the George Washington Bridge on both the Manhattan and New Jersey sides rank among New York's deadliest roadways. Merging traffic, lane changes, and the pressure to navigate quickly through tolls create an environment ripe for collisions. The connection between the bridge and the Cross Bronx Expressway forms a notorious bottleneck where motor vehicle crashes occur with alarming frequency.

Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)

Atlantic Avenue's length and width make it tempting for drivers to exceed speed limits, particularly during off-peak hours. The mix of pedestrians, public transportation, and heavy traffic creates a challenging environment for all road users. The corridor's combination of commercial and residential uses means traffic patterns can change dramatically throughout the day.

Queens Boulevard (Queens)

Once known as the "Boulevard of Death", Queens Boulevard has seen safety improvements in recent years. However, it remains one of the most dangerous roads in New York City. The wide roadway with multiple lanes encourages speeding, while numerous intersections with complex traffic light patterns confuse drivers unfamiliar with the area.

Canal Street (Manhattan)

The intersection of Canal Street with several major thoroughfares creates some of Manhattan's most congested and accident-prone areas. The meeting points with Broadway, Bowery, and other streets form chaotic junctions where vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists converge from multiple directions. Add in the heavy foot traffic from shopping districts and subway entrances, and you have a recipe for frequent collisions.

Belt Parkway (Brooklyn/Queens)

This major artery along Brooklyn and Queens' shoreline features outdated design elements, including narrow lanes, limited shoulders, and problematic entrance and exit ramps. The curved sections combined with high speeds make the Belt Parkway particularly dangerous during adverse weather conditions, when visibility decreases and road surfaces become slippery.

Flatbush Avenue Extension (Brooklyn)

The stretch connecting the Manhattan Bridge to downtown Brooklyn channels enormous traffic volume through a relatively confined space. The mix of commuters, delivery vehicles, and public transportation creates constant tension, while the complex intersection at Tillary Street ranks among the city's most accident-prone junctions.

Grand Concourse (Bronx)

This historic boulevard's design dates from an earlier era of urban planning, featuring multiple traffic lanes, service roads, and complex intersections. The combination of high traffic volume and the thoroughfare's role as a major bus route makes the Grand Concourse a frequent site for collisions, particularly at major cross streets like Fordham Road.

Hylan Boulevard (Staten Island)

As Staten Island's longest roadway, Hylan Boulevard bears the burden of heavy traffic flow with limited alternative routes. Its length, combined with numerous traffic lights and commercial driveways, creates ample opportunity for collisions. The roadway's design struggles to accommodate current traffic volumes, especially during rush hours.

Tillary Street and Adams Street (Brooklyn)

Near the Brooklyn Bridge approach, this intersection combines heavy vehicle traffic with significant pedestrian flow. The complex lane configurations and turning patterns create confusion, while drivers focused on bridge access often fail to yield to those crossing on foot.

Broadway and East 96th Street (Manhattan)

This Upper East Side intersection sees vehicles converging from multiple directions, with Broadway cutting diagonally across the Manhattan grid. The presence of subway entrances adds pedestrian traffic to an already chaotic junction, while limited visibility at certain approaches compounds the danger.

East Fordham Road and Webster Avenue (Bronx)

This major commercial hub is constantly busy with shoppers, students from nearby Fordham University, and commuters. The intersection's design struggles to handle the heavy traffic volume, with turning vehicles frequently conflicting with pedestrians crossing in all directions.

Northern Boulevard and Junction Boulevard (Queens)

The meeting point of these two major thoroughfares creates one of Queens' most hazardous intersections. Wide roadways encourage high speeds, while the commercial nature of the area brings constant pedestrian activity. The timing of traffic lights at this junction leaves little margin for error.

Victory Boulevard and Clove Road (Staten Island)

This complex intersection in the heart of Staten Island features unusual angles, multiple turn lanes, and heavy traffic heading to and from the Staten Island Expressway. The nearby commercial establishments and bus stops add to the congestion, creating conditions where minor driving errors can have serious consequences.

Times Square Area (Manhattan)

While traffic moves slowly, the intersections in the Times Square area are among the city's most accident-prone. The combination of unfamiliar drivers, pedestrian crowds, and the visual distractions of bright advertisements creates a uniquely challenging environment where minor collisions occur with remarkable frequency.

Most Dangerous Roads in New York State

Beyond the city limits, several highways and rural roads across New York State have troubling safety records:

• Taconic State Parkway: This historic parkway's winding route through the Hudson River Valley features outdated design elements like narrow lanes, limited shoulders, and challenging entry/exit ramps. Winter weather conditions make this scenic route particularly treacherous.
• Route 17 (future I-86): This major east-west corridor through the Southern Tier combines high speeds with frequently changing terrain and weather conditions.
• I-87 Adirondack Northway: The northern stretch of this highway presents unique challenges, particularly during winter months when snow and ice can create hazardous driving conditions.
• Route 9A: This coastal route features numerous intersections and variable traffic patterns that contribute to its high accident rate.
• Route 25A on Long Island: This winding road through suburban and semi-rural areas combines high traffic volumes with challenging road design elements.

The New York State Department of Transportation continually works to improve these roadways, but their fundamental design characteristics and heavy usage continue to present safety challenges.

How to Protect Your Rights After an Accident on Dangerous Roads

Accidents on New York's most dangerous roads can devastate lives. When collisions occur on these hazardous routes, having a skilled lawyer dramatically improves your chances of receiving fair compensation. Working with attorneys who regularly handle accidents on notorious New York roadways offers several advantages:

• Road-specific factors matter: Accidents on New York's infamous roadways often involve poor design, inadequate signage, and improper maintenance. Attorneys familiar with these roads can identify these contributing elements.
• Insurance companies fight harder: Adjusters often minimize payouts for accidents on known dangerous routes by shifting blame to "hazardous conditions". Aggressive legal representation prevents these tactics.
• Complete damage recovery: Our attorneys help quantify all damages, including future medical costs and pain and suffering, which is especially important for serious injuries common on dangerous roads.
• Wrongful death claims: In the most tragic cases, families who have lost loved ones in fatal crashes on New York's dangerous roads can pursue wrongful death claims against responsible parties. These complex cases require specific legal knowledge to ensure families receive just compensation for their devastating loss.
• Government liability: Government entities responsible for road maintenance may share blame in cases involving dangerous roads. These claims have specific requirements and shortened deadlines.
• Equal footing with insurers: Without top-notch representation, you face insurance companies with vast resources whose goal is to pay you as little as possible. Our attorneys will level this playing field.
• Freedom to heal: With our dedicated attorneys in your corner handling legal and insurance matters, you can focus entirely on your physical and emotional recovery.

The maze of traffic laws and insurance regulations becomes even more complicated when accidents occur on roads with notorious safety records. Strong legal representation often determines whether you achieve financial recovery or face lasting hardship.

Don’t Wait to Take Action After a New York Road Accident

From congested highways to poorly designed intersections, these crash hotspots see some of the most serious accidents in the state. When accidents occur on these dangerous roads, having knowledgeable legal representation can make all the difference in receiving the maximum amount of money for your injuries.

At Fellows Hymowitz Rice, we bring over four decades of experience to each case, helping victims secure fair compensation for their injuries and losses. If you or a loved one has been injured on one of New York's dangerous roads, contact us today for a free consultation. Our team will evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward.