The news comes none too soon. 1999 data compiled by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles show that among NY counties, Suffolk and Nassau rank one and two for total traffic deaths. Suffolk's 153 fatalities accounted for over 14 percent of NY State's 1,088 vehicle-related deaths. The kill rate is almost twice Suffolk's 7.6% share of the state population.

Nassau County was close behind, accounting for over 11 percent of the state's traffic deaths. Nassau has about 7.2% of the state's population.

A detailed transportation safety statistical report for 1998 recently issued by the NY Metropolitan Transportation Council showed that the rates are almost as bad when it comes to pedestrian fatalities. In that category, Suffolk's 43 1998 deaths were outpaced only in Brooklyn and Queens (70 and 48, respectively).

Suffolk had more than twice as many pedestrian deaths as the Bronx, and also beat out Manhattan. Suffolk has slightly more population than the Bronx, and slightly less than Manhattan. Its total accounted for 11.5% of the state's pedestrian fatalities. Nassau's 34 pedestrian deaths represented 9 percent of the state total.

Among downstate suburban counties, Long Island accounted for 75% of 1998 pedestrian deaths, though it only has 58% of the combined population of Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange Counties.