NYC could lower speed limit to 20 mph
NEW YORK - New York City could lower the driving speed limit from 25 to 20 mph as early as this year under ‘Sammy’s Law.'
The law, inspired by a 12-year-old boy killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn, has already gotten a mass majority in the State Senate.
The measure would allow the city to lower its speed limit from the current 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour wherever necessary.
Last year, though, the New York State Assembly ended its 2023 session without voting on the bill.
At the time, Sammy's mother said "It was unconscionable that they adjourned without passing the bill."
Now, Governor Kathy Hochul says that the New York State budget will acknowledge a version of the law.
The law would give New York City the ability to set its own speed limits throughout the five boroughs without first getting approval from Albany.
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who sponsors the bill, confirmed that it is set for passage.
Saving lives is what #SammysLaw is all about.
As the Assembly sponsor, I am proud that the NY State budget of 2024 enshrines his legacy and that of countless others killed in car crashes by creating safer streets citywide. #SafeStreetsNow pic.twitter.com/fuOHhEaBzq— Linda B. Rosenthal “the #OriginalRosenthal” (@LindaBRosenthal) April 18, 2024
Why lower the speed limit?
According to Families for Safe Streets, car crashes have killed 110 children 17 and younger.
The bill references a 2011 study by AAA that examined how speed influences the probability that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle will either sustain severe injuries or die.
The study found that an estimated 30% of pedestrians struck by vehicles at 25 mph would sustain serious injury and about 12% would die.
The idea is that if the speed limit is lowered, then so would the probability of death.
Many Assembly members have been fearful of voter backlash if the speed limit is lowered.
By authorizing a 20 mph speed limit, NYC would join Washington, D.C.,, Seattle, Washington, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.