New law allows NYC to set its own speed limits amid spike in traffic deaths
The law goes into effect on June 19 and will fall on the City Council to be enacted.
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A new law will allow New York City to set its own speed limits in certain areas as traffic deaths are at an all-time high this year, according to the Department of Transportation’s Vision Zero.
The law, known as Sammy’s Law, will permit NYC to lower speed on certain streets. Speed limits can be reduced from 25 to 20 mph and from 15 to 10 mph in special areas, like school zones.
The bill signing took place at M.S. 51 in Park Slope – the school where 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein was attending when he was struck and killed crossing the street back in 2013.
The bill is named after Sammy, and his mother, Amy Cohen, got to experience the bill being signed into law on Thursday.
"They should not have to pay with their life. It is a preventable public health crisis and solutions like safe speed limits are proven to work and address this crisis on our streets,” said Cohen.
The law goes into effect on June 19 and will fall on the City Council to be enacted.
