At a press conference held on October 9th, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced a new set of speed limit regulations under Sammy’s Law, aimed at enhancing safety across the city. This initiative will create “Regional Slow Zones” in specific locations, imposing a maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour. The first of these zones is set to launch later this month in the area south of Canal Street in Manhattan.
The legislation is named in memory of 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who tragically lost his life in a car accident eleven years ago. The initial focus of the law will be on Prospect Park West, the site of the accident, as well as parts of Washington Heights, where the speed limit will also be capped at 20 miles per hour.
City Council Member Christopher Marte expressed his enthusiasm for the new regulations, highlighting that Chinatown, situated in his district, is one of the fastest-aging neighborhoods in the city, with a large elderly population. He emphasized that reducing the speed limit in the south of Canal Street area is crucial for pedestrian safety, especially for senior residents. “This regulation will not only make our roads safer but will also allow our seniors to age more comfortably,” he remarked.
Ydanis Rodriguez, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is not just about numbers or policies; it’s about saving lives. Lowering speeds can save lives.” He went on to announce that by the end of 2025, the city expects to implement speed restrictions at 250 locations, with an additional 60 speed limit zones to be introduced by the end of this year.
