Memorial Day Travel Safety: What Long Island Drivers Must Know

Here on Long Island, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Thousands of local families flock to beaches and countless households host backyard gatherings. Plus, New York City dwellers and even out-of-staters drive to LI to get in on the fun.

That means roads across Nassau and Suffolk County see noticeable surges in traffic. And with that increased travel comes increased risk.

Per AAA, an estimated 45.1 million Americans were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend in 2025, with 39.4 million forecasted to travel by car. On Long Island, where heavily trafficked roadways already experience high congestion year-round, this uptick in traffic has the potential to create dangerous driving conditions.

So, before you set out to celebrate, understanding where the risks are highest (and how to best protect yourself) can make all the difference.

The Busiest Roads on Long Island During Memorial Day Weekend

Nationwide, New York is one of the top five metro areas expected to see the highest levels of traffic on Memorial Day weekend. Long Island will be at the heart of this congestion, with several major highways funneling both visitors and residents across the island to beaches, parties, and community events.

The busiest LI roadways will include:

● The Long Island Expressway (I-495), which runs from the Queens-Midtown Tunnel in Manhattan all the way to Old Country Road in Riverhead on the East End of Long Island.

● The Southern State Parkway, a major east/west route for the South Shore of Long Island. It starts at the Cross Island and Belt Parkways at the Queens-Nassau county line and travels east to Heckscher State Park in East Islip.

● Sunrise Highway, which runs from Brooklyn to Montauk Point State Park. This is a primary travel route for Long Island’s South Shore, spanning over 120 miles.

Most resident Long Islanders know that, just during a typical workday commute, these roadways can already see frustrating traffic levels. So when a holiday like Memorial Day weekend comes into play, these highways become even more crowded, heightening the risk of sudden stops, aggressive driving, and accidents. 

The Top Risks Facing Long Island Drivers This Memorial Day

Holiday travel creates the perfect storm for accidents. There’s more cars on the road, people are on tighter timelines to soak up their vacations, and emotions are high. These facts, coupled with other common (and risky) driving behaviors, can quickly lead to serious crashes.

Distracted Driving

It’s no secret that cell phone use behind the wheel is a pervasive problem. In 2025 alone, a total of 15,147 drivers were stopped by police for calling or texting while driving in Suffolk County, according to the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) Traffic Stops Dashboard.

But cell phones are not the only distractions that tear drivers’ focus away from the roads. This Memorial Day, travelers may find themselves driving down unfamiliar routes, leading to a greater reliance on GPS. Moreover, most drivers will also have multiple passengers in their vehicles, which only raises the chances of distraction. And even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to severe consequences.

Speeding & Aggressive Driving

No one enjoys sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, which is why heavily-trafficked holidays, like Memorial Day, tend to bring out aggressive driving behaviors. Per Suffolk County Police Department Traffic Stop Data, 289 people were stopped for speeding over Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 26) in 2025.

Aside from speeding, drivers may also tailgate, run red lights or stop signs, or make unsafe lane changes in an effort to reach their destinations quicker. So, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and drive defensively.

Impaired Driving

Like many holiday gatherings, Memorial Day celebrations also tend to involve alcohol. Unfortunately, this reality directly contributes to a rise in DUIs over the holiday weekend. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul reported that, in 2024, law enforcement officers made 1,421 arrests for impaired driving over the holiday weekend.

“Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer and a busy travel season. I urge all motorists to drive responsibly and if you are celebrating, make a plan to get yourself or your guests home safely. New York has zero tolerance for impaired driving,” Governor Hochul said.

Travel Safety Tips for Long Island Drivers 

While there’s nothing you can do to control how other drivers behave on the road, there are various steps you can personally take to reduce your own risk of an accident.

Plan Ahead Before

You Leave Prior to hitting the road, be sure to map out your route in advance and check forecasted traffic conditions. Memorial Day weekend traffic can still be unpredictable, especially on popular roadways like the LIE. That’s why giving yourself extra time to reach your destination is always the best first step.

Minimize Distractions

Before you put your car in drive, take care of anything that could possibly pull your focus away from the road. Answer any last-minute texts, set up your GPS, and put your favorite playlist on shuffle, because even a quick glance at your phone or elsewhere in the cabin could have serious consequences.

Stay Alert for Unfamiliar Drivers

Memorial Day weekend welcomes an influx of out-of-town visitors who aren’t used to Long Island roads. So, be prepared for potential missed turns, sudden stops, or other unpredictable driving behaviors, especially near popular areas like Jones Beach, Robert Moses, the Hamptons, and Montauk.

Watch Out for Pedestrians and Cyclists

As the weather warms up, you’ll also have to share the road with other non-car travelers. More people will opt to walk or bike to beaches and downtown areas over Memorial Day weekend, so stay on high alert at crosswalks and intersections.

Never Drive Fatigued or Impaired

Always avoid driving while tired and, if you become fatigued during a long drive, pull over and take breaks as needed. And if any of your Memorial Day weekend plans involve alcohol, make sure you pick a designated driver (DD), call a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, or make alternative sleeping arrangements. In New York State, the penalties for alcohol or drug-related violations include fines, the loss of driving privileges, and possible jail time.

How New York’s No-Fault Law Applies 

Now, if you do find yourself in a car accident over Memorial Day weekend or any other time of the year, it’s important to know that New York state operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means your own insurance policy will typically cover a capped value of medical expenses and lost wages.

The whole point of this system is to allow car accident victims access to timely compensation without having to first prove who was responsible for a crash. Still, its no-fault benefits are not wide-ranging or unlimited.

In New York, each victim may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 of reimbursement for crash-related medical and rehabilitation expenses. Additionally, they may seek up to 80% of lost wages, capped at $2,000 per month for up to a maximum of three years.

So, if you or a loved one falls victim to a serious car accident and sustains severe injuries, no-fault benefits might not be enough. Instead, under New York law, victims can step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver for additional compensation.

Why You Should Contact Langella & Langella, Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys

It’s important to understand that once you go beyond New York’s no-fault system, the process becomes much more complex. Pursuing extra compensation will require you to prove that another driver was responsible for your accident, and that you meet the serious injury threshold.

This is where, without experienced legal representation, victims can run into real challenges. Insurance companies might try to dispute liability, downplay the severity of your injuries, or attempt to quickly settle your claim before the entire extent of damages is fully known. And if you don’t have the proper documentation, evidence, and legal guidance on your side, it can be difficult to build a strong case that reflects both your short and long-term losses.

That’s why consulting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible can make all the difference. An experienced lawyer will help investigate the circumstances of your crash, gather key pieces of evidence, work with third-party experts like medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists who can support your claim, and handle all communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to.

At Langella & Langella Personal Injury Attorneys, we’ve spent decades representing car accident victims across Long Island, including Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Patchogue, and surrounding communities.

We know that a serious crash can change your life in an instant, and we’re ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a Free Consultation at (631) 348-9500.