The Empire State is no stranger to danger. There are plenty of dangerous cities in New York that you’d be wise to make a point of avoiding after dark. And we’ve got plenty of dangerous things to avoid in nature, like our three species of venomous snakes. New York is a beautiful and fun place, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places that you’d be better off avoiding. All across our state, you’ll find roads that will make your heart drop. Whether it’s due to heavy traffic or tight, winding lanes that will make you queasy, most New Yorkers have roads they hate driving. But there’s one particular highway that’s such a chaotic commute we wouldn’t even wish it upon our worst enemy.

 

The longest parkway you'll find in all of New York, the Taconic State Parkway is over 104 miles in length. Often called the TSP, the road runs all the way from the Kensico Dam up to Chatham.
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In 2005, the entire parkway was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It holds significant historical importance, having played an important role in the development of parkways during the 20th century. If you're not familiar with the parkway's history, it's also recognized because President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a major role in creating this scenic road. He wanted a highway through the beautiful eastern Hudson Valley region.
While it has a fascinating history and absolutely stunning scenery, the parkway is now mostly known for being one of the most dangerous highways in New York.
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Sadly, if you ever search for pictures of the Taconic State Parkway online, almost everything that will come up on your screen is that of car crashes. Accidents are constantly occurring on this New York highway. It is one of our most dangerous roads.

Many of our residents will be quick to point out that it's not the road itself that is dangerous, but rather the reckless driver that you will find traveling on it. Regardless, the highway has some alarming reports surrounding it. Reading through accident reports will make you worried to drive on the TSP. During a three year period that lasted up until the end of July 2014, 2,080 car crashes took place on the parkway. Nearly all of the accidents happened in the Westchester and Putnam area. Reports from 2015 claim that our state troopers issued nearly 54,000 tickets to people traveling along the parkway in the seven years prior. The majority of those tickets were given in Westchester and Putnam. Out of those 54,000 tickets, over 18,000 were for speeding along the stretch of highway in Westchster. Do you see a pattern here?

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Most of the parkway consists of tight, narrow two-lane roads. You'll want to keep your eyes glued straight ahead and not even glance down for a moment to change the radio station.
Wikimedia Commons
The majority of the Taconic State Parkway remains very narrow, with only two lanes. Accidents can happen so easily when cars make the slightest of swerves on the narrow areas of road. Bad weather only intensifies this effect. The southern areas of the highway are known to be constantly crowded with New York City-bound commuters. Those who frequently travel along this highway urge other residents and out-of-town travelers to pay attention to the signs along the way. Make sure you feel safe traveling, especially during inclement weather. Fog, rain, and snow make it much more difficult to drive, so make a point to not drive during these times if you aren't confident in your abilities.
One of the most common causes of accidents on the Taconic State Parkway is created by travelers who inadvertently end up on the wrong side of the road.
Wikimedia Commons
If you're a long-time resident of New York, you're most likely familiar with the tragedy that took place here back in 2009. A woman driving a minivan down the wrong side of the highway for nearly two miles eventually struck an SUV. The accident resulted in the death of eight people, and remains to date one of the most deadly car crashes that has ever taken place on the Taconic State Highway.

Before the 2009 accident, there was a bus crash in the summer of 1934. The Ossining crash resulted in the death of 20 people and was at the time the deadliest accident to ever take place in Westchester. Sadly, these are just a couple of the many cases of accidents being caused on this highway by those who were driving on the wrong side of the road.
A particularly dangerous area that many of our residents have expressed concern about is the Pudding Street Intersection of the parkway.
Google Maps
Located in Putnam Valley, Pudding Street intersects with both the north and southbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway. Those traveling on Pudding Street have to cross over both of the highway's lanes, pictured above. This had become an area where accidents frequently occur. Local residents petitioned the state to create an overpass at the intersection to help prevent any further accidents from occurring. At the end of 2020, one finally opened up. The area will hopefully see fewer accidents now.

It isn't just the cars you have to worry about on the Taconic State Parkway. A few years ago, just a few miles north of the Pudding Street intersection, an SUV flipped over after large boulders and rocks came sliding down onto the parkway.

Be safe out there, New York!

Have you ever personally experienced the mayhem that occurs on the Taconic State Parkway?

To learn about other dangerous places to avoid in New York, be sure to read where our Top 15 Most Dangerous Places In New York can be found.

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Most Dangerous Places in New York

Lisa Sammons | January 13, 2022

What are some of the deadliest disasters to occur in New York?

Obviously, no mention of deadly disasters in New York could be complete without talking about the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Prior to that, one of the worst incidents in U.S. history occurred in New York as well, when the General Slocum steamboat sank. There have also been numerous weather-related incidents in which people sadly lost their lives, including the Blizzard of 1977.

What are some dangerous cities in New York?

Unfortunately, as all city dwellers know, with increased population comes increased crime. While you may think that most of the crime in the Empire State comes from the Big Apple, it's actually spread more around the city than you might imagine. Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls tend to all have pretty high property crime and violent crime rates. That doesn't mean these places have to be completely avoided, but make sure to stay safe in your travels and keep an eye on your surroundings.

What are some other dangerous places to avoid in New York?

Any place can be dangerous if you aren't diligent enough. Driving a car, walking down the road, hiking a trail - all of these can be deadly activities. Always pay attention to your surroundings and make sure that others are aware of your location.

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Taconic State Parkway, New York, USA