Confusing Intersection Site of Recent Accident in Tuxedo New York

On Wednesday afternoon, Route 17 in Orange County was closed near Route 17A due to a bad traffic accident.

Car Accident at One of New York's Weirdest Intersections

According to a social media post from the Town of Tuxedo Police Department, they had to shut down Route 17 North for about 20 minutes while they cleared the accident scene. The photo they posted with it left many people wondering exactly what had happened.

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The accident appears to have occurred near the intersection of Route 17 and 17 A in the Town of Tuxedo. Many of us are familiar with this part of Route 17 because it is the way you go to the New York Renaissance Faire.

The intersection is a bit odd in my opinion. It does have a traffic signal but you definitely need a minute to figure it all out the first time you travel this way. The entrance or road, if you want to call it that, links Route 17 and 17A is more like an off-ramp.

The Intersection of Route 17 and 17 A Can be Confusing to Drivers

If you are heading south on Route 17, you might see the traffic light and the sign pointing towards 17 A just before the road goes up to the right. If you are driving north, the traffic light is visible as well but the road off to the left may not be apparent.

The first time I went to get back on 17 heading north from this intersection, I actually missed the turn to go down the ramp and ended up on the other side of the New York State Thruway heading to the backside of Bear Mountain State Park.

To say the least, it took me a minute to realize I missed a turn somewhere.

If you do make the turn and head down the 2 lane ramp toward 17 North, you have to wait at the light and may not see the traffic coming north on 17 who need to stop to allow you out when the signal turns. This on and off-ramp of a road also has a park-and-ride on it so it sees its share of traffic.

I bring this up because many people posting on social media about the accident posted that the intersection is tricky. One person said people travel too fast through that part of 17. Another said that the yellow traffic light signal is too short, implying you might not have enough time to stop.

Looking North at the Intersection of Route 17 and 17 A in Tuxedo New York