Reaffirm Commitment to Safer Roads in New School Year
By Legislator Scott M. Davis
Before we know it, summer will be in the rearview mirror, and a new school year will be underway. Along with the change of seasons comes increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Our thoughts should shift toward being extra vigilant when driving, especially during our commute to and from work, when passing through busy intersections, and traversing areas densely populated with pedestrians. School zones and commercial districts are prime examples.
Many Nassau County residents rely heavily on their automobiles to get to work, school, and complete daily activities. Unfortunately, they are traveling on roads that have become increasingly hazardous.
As part of its “Dangerous Roads” series, a recent Newsday investigation found that traffic fatalities in Nassau County increased from 67 in 2024 to at least 78 in 2025. Tragically, the danger has continued into 2026, with 70 traffic fatalities already recorded across Long Island as of this writing.
Just weeks ago, a 24-year-old pedestrian was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle in a busy intersection in Rockville Centre, and on July 11, a 37-year-old man crashed into a utility pole in Roosevelt. The driver was killed, and three additional passengers, ages 36, 19, and 9, were hospitalized with serious injuries. Very often, these incidents are the result of distracted or aggressive driving, speeding, and outdated or poorly maintained roads. Unsafe pedestrian behaviors, including disregarding crossing signals, walking in the roadway, and failing to pay attention to traffic, also play a part.
There are solutions that can help provide a pathway to safer streets in every community, and we must focus on both long-term investments in our infrastructure and undertake immediate actions that can begin reversing this troubling trend.
The communities of Legislative District 1—Baldwin, Hempstead, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, and South Hempstead – are home to major county roadways that require significant modernization.
Nassau County’s capital infrastructure plan is the vehicle for funding these upgrades. Tens of millions of dollars in bond authorizations are already in place for significant infrastructure improvements. I will continue fighting for additional resources that will keep these important projects on time and on track for completion.
In the Village of Hempstead, design phases for traffic safety projects focused on Peninsula Boulevard, Franklin Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and Washington Avenue are already underway. A traffic study is also being conducted for additional work on Greenwich Street. In Roosevelt, the design phase is underway for major projects to improve Babylon Turnpike and Nassau Road, and a traffic study is forthcoming for a road safety project focused on Lakeview Avenue in Rockville Centre.
As we pursue long-term infrastructure improvements, we must also continue working toward more immediate remedies. Chief among them is an increased partnership with the Nassau County Police Department’s First Precinct and the police departments of the Villages of Hempstead and Rockville Centre, which serve the communities of District 1. I am in continuous communication with precinct-level leadership to secure enhanced enforcement and traffic-calming resources for high-risk areas within our communities. I invite residents to contact my office at 516-571-6201 or sdavis@nassaucountyny.gov if they would like to share specific areas of concern.
An immediate response, however, must also come from each of us. When we are behind the wheel, it is imperative to devote full attention to the road and surroundings at all times—and that means putting the phone down, keeping both hands on the steering wheel, and one’s eyes squarely focused on the road ahead. Safe driving also means remaining calm and measured when faced with aggressive drivers, traffic jams, double parking, and other familiar frustrations we encounter when navigating our roadways.
For those traveling on foot, by scooter, bicycle, and particularly those using electric-powered transportation, obeying the law and awareness is equally important. Each of us would be well served by always using crosswalks, stopping at red lights and stop signs, keeping our heads up and away from our phones, making sure we are visible by wearing light colors and reflective gear (especially in low-light conditions) and keeping earbuds out or at a reasonable volume so we know what is coming our way and can react quickly if necessary.
Improving Nassau County’s road safety will require continued investment, cooperation, and a shared commitment from everyone who uses our roads. Through infrastructure improvements, enhanced enforcement, and greater awareness, we can make meaningful progress toward safer communities.
As we begin a new school year, I encourage every resident to do their part and make road safety an everyday priority. By recommitting ourselves to the rules of the road and adopting a mindset of full awareness while driving, we can make a real difference and save lives.
Scott M. Davis, of Rockville Centre, represents Legislative District 1 in the Nassau County Legislature.