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New data reveals significant changes in traffic enforcement on Long Island roads. In 2025, Suffolk County police issued over 76,000 tickets for dangerous driving, marking a 26% increase from 2024. This surge in ticketing reflects a renewed focus on traffic safety under Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, who increased the highway unit by 30% and emphasized the importance of ticketing for career advancement.
Conversely, Nassau County saw a decline in enforcement, with police issuing about half the number of safety-related tickets in 2025 compared to 2019. This reduction raises questions about Nassau's data-smart policing strategy, as serious traffic injuries and deaths have increased since 2019. Former NYPD lieutenant Christopher Mercado expressed surprise at Nassau's decline, emphasizing the importance of enforcement in reducing crashes.
The data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at SUNY Albany shows that Suffolk County's efforts have led to the lowest number of crash fatalities since 2020. Meanwhile, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has also increased efforts to combat distracted driving, a leading cause of crashes.
In Nassau, the police department's ticketing for core safety violations remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. Despite an increase in the department's size, enforcement has not rebounded, leading to concerns about the impact on road safety.
The contrasting enforcement strategies between Suffolk and Nassau counties highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing dangerous driving. As Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. stated, "Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our county’s roads." The data underscores the need for continued efforts to promote safer driving habits and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
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