New Legislation Allows New York City to Lower Speed Limits

Authorities in New York City will soon have the power to reduce the default speed limit to 20 mph, down from 25 mph. This change comes after the passing of new legislation known as “Sammy’s Law” in New York State’s final budget agreement.

Background

The push for this change began a decade ago when Amy Cohen, whose 12-year-old son was killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn in 2013, started campaigning for lower speed limits in the city.

Key Points

• New York City can now lower a street’s speed limit to 20 mph, except for roads with three lanes traveling in the same direction.
• The City Council requested this authority to enhance pedestrian safety, especially for children.
• The new rule empowers localities to make decisions that benefit their constituents.

Impact and Exceptions

The legislation allows for exceptions, such as not lowering the speed limit on roads with three or more lanes in the same direction. This measure aims to balance safety concerns while giving the city more control over speed limits.

Sammy’s Law

The law is named after Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a young victim of a speeding driver in Brooklyn. His mother, Amy Cohen, has been a driving force behind this legislation, believing that lower speed limits will help prevent future tragedies.

“The price I have paid to fight for this kind of change is not one I wish on anyone,” Cohen said. “It’s been 10 years since Sammy died, and every day is hard, but days like this, when we are fighting for change in the name of those we have lost, is huge.”