New York City is set to significantly reduce its speed limits across the metropolitan area, with a new law fully enacted by the end of 2025. The legislation, known as Sammy’s Law, was passed in April 2024 and mandates that speed limits in 250 traffic zones will be lowered from 25 mph to 20 mph. This initiative aims to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities, a pressing concern for city officials.
The process began in October 2024 with the initial speed reduction taking place on Prospect Park West in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. This location was chosen due to its historical significance; it was the site of a tragic accident in which 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein lost his life after being struck by a speeding vehicle in 2013. His death galvanized public support for stricter speed regulations and ultimately led to the passing of the law.
In a statement regarding the speed limit reductions, Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), expressed gratitude to Cohen Eckstein’s family for their advocacy: “I want to thank [Sammy’s mother] Amy Cohen Eckstein and Sammy’s entire family for their tireless advocacy to give New York City the legal authority we needed to reduce speed limits.” While the law does not explicitly require reductions, it empowers the NYCDOT to implement them.
Targeted Areas for Speed Limit Reductions
City officials are focusing on both individual streets and designated Regional Slow Zones, which encompass areas with higher pedestrian traffic. Notable examples of these zones include City Island in the Bronx, Dumbo in Brooklyn, Broad Channel in Queens, and St. George in Staten Island. In addition to the overall speed limit reduction, certain Shared and Open Streets—designed for mixed use by drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists—will see their speed limits decreased even further to 10 mph.
Moreover, designated School Slow Zones will have their speed limits reduced to 15 mph, a significant change from the previous 20 mph limit. These areas are intended to enhance safety around schools by ensuring that vehicles travel at lower speeds at all times, rather than only during school hours.
As New York City moves forward with this initiative, officials anticipate that the changes will contribute to a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists alike. With the implementation of the new speed limits, the city aims to foster a culture of safety on its streets, reflecting a commitment to public health and well-being.
