NYC DOT to Reduce Speed Limits in Select Areas Following Enactment of Sammy’s Law (2024)

About DOT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

NYC DOT to Reduce Speed Limits Near Select Schools, on Open Streets, and on Shared Streets

Agency Will Also Create New ‘Regional Slow Zones’ in Each Borough

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the agency will reduce speed limits in select areas following enactment of Sammy’s Law. Speed limit reductions will target select schools, Open Streets, Shared Streets, and other areas, as well as new ‘Regional Slow Zones’ in each borough. Passed this legislative session in Albany, Sammy’s Law gives the City of New York the authority to reduce speed limits to 20 MPH on individual streets, and to 10 MPH on select streets undergoing safety-related redesigns. NYC DOT will begin publicly notifying community boards on its proposals this summer, with a 60-day comment period to follow before implementation.

“New Yorkers deserve safe streets, no matter how they travel. Whether it’s via car, bus, bike, or walking, Sammy’s Law provided a tool to make sure everyone arrives safely to their destination,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “I thank the Department of Transportation for putting this tool to use and using a data driven and targeted approach as we continue to make our streets safer.”

“Speeding ruins lives, and reducing vehicle speeds by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “The new Regional Slow Zones and other speed limit reductions announced today will save lives and keep people safe. We are extremely grateful for Families for Safe Streets and Amy Cohen, who has tirelessly advocated in honor of her son Sammy Cohen Eckstein for the City to have greater control over our speed limits. We thank Governor Hochul, State Senator Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Rosenthal, and other legislative leaders for providing New York City with another tool to keep everyone safe on our streets.”

Beginning in September, following a 60-day public comment period, NYC DOT will begin reducing speed limits in 250 locations by the end of 2025, with a focus on priority locations such as schools. The agency will implement this safety measure utilizing safety data and focusing on equity, implementing speed limit reductions in Priority Investment Areas—defined as areas of the city with larger proportions of non-white and low-income residents, higher population and job density, and without a strong history of previous NYC DOT investments.

The agency will also reduce the speed limit to 10 MPH on all existing and future Shared Streets and on Open Streets that have had substantial design upgrades. Shared streets are roadways with distinctive designs that naturally slow vehicle travel speeds, where pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all share the right of way.

NYC DOT will implement one Regional Slow Zone in each borough where speed limits will be set at 20 miles per hour throughout a set geographic area. The first location to be considered will be lower Manhattan south of Canal Street and would be implemented by the end of this year or early next year.

INITIAL PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR REDUCED SPEEDS

The Bronx

  • E 139 Street, from Willis Avenue to Alexander Avenue
  • Courtlandt Ave, E 156 St to E 157 St
  • E 151 St, Courtlandt Ave to Morris Ave
  • E 156 St, Concourse Village W to Morris Ave
  • Gerard Ave, E 167 St to E 168 St
  • St Ann’s Ave, E 149 St to Westchester Ave
  • Tinton Ave, E 150 St to E 152 St
  • Sheridan Ave, E 171 St to E 172 St
  • Walton Ave, E 179 St to E 171 St
  • Prospect Ave, E 175 St to E Tremont Ave
  • Wallace Ave, Mace Ave to Waring Ave
  • E 225 St, White Plains Rd to Barnes Ave
  • E 172 St, St Lawrence Ave to Beach Ave
  • Netherland Ave, Kappock St to W 227 St
  • Reeds Mill Ln, Bivona St to Steenwick Ave

Brooklyn

  • Seventh Ave, 43 St to 44 St
  • Dean St, Saratoga Ave to Thomas Boyland St
  • MacDonough St, Lewis Ave, Marcus Garvey Blvd
  • Christopher Ave, Sutter Ave to Belmont Ave
  • Ashford St, Belmont Ave to Pitkin Ave
  • Prospect Park West, Grand Army Plaza to Bartel Pritchard Square
  • E 94 St, E New York Ave to Rutland Rd
  • Fenimore St, Brooklyn Ave to New York Ave
  • Ninth Ave, 63 St to 64 St
  • 45 St, Fort Hamilton Pkway to Tenth Ave
  • Lenox Rd, E 39 St to E 40 St
  • E 96 St, Ave D to Foster Ave
  • Sackman St, Belmont Ave to Sutter Ave
  • Fort Greene Pl, Fulton St to Dekalb Ave
  • Lewis Ave, Hart St to Willoughby Ave

Manhattan

  • W 138 St, Amsterdam Ave to Broadway
  • W 64 Street, West End Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue
  • E 120 St, Lexington Ave to Third Ave
  • E 128 St, Lexington Ave to Third Ave
  • Morningside Ave, W 126 St to W 127 St
  • Audubon Avenue, West 165th Street to Fort George Avenue
  • E 112 St, Second Ave to Third Ave
  • E 120 St, Second Ave to Third Ave
  • E 120 St, Madison Ave to Park Ave
  • E 128 St, Madison Ave to Park Ave

Queens

  • 112 St, 37 Ave to 34 Ave
  • 47 Ave, 108 St to 111 St
  • 155 St, 108 Ave to 109 Ave
  • 167 St, 108 Rd to 109 Ave
  • Union Hall St ,109 Ave to 110 Ave
  • 144 St, 88 Ave to 88 Rd
  • 143 St, Linden Blvd to 115 Ave
  • 105 St, 35 Ave to 37 Ave
  • 31 Ave, 60 St to 61 St

INITIAL PROPOSED 10 MPH SHARED STREETS

The Bronx

  • Jennings St, Bronx from Prospect Ave to Bristow St (to be redesigned later this summer)

Brooklyn

  • Willoughby Ave, from Washington Park to Washington Ave
  • Berry St, from Broadway to N12th St
  • Underhill Ave, from Pacific St to Eastern Parkway
  • Sharon St, from Olive St to Morgan Ave

Manhattan
Broadway, from:

  • 18 St to 23 St
  • 24 St to 25 St
  • 27 St to 33 St
  • 38 St to 39 St
  • 48 St to 50 St

Queens
34th Avenue, from:

  • 69 St to 77 St
  • 78 St to 93 St
  • 94 St to Junction Blvd

ABOUT SAMMY’S LAW

Sammy's Law allows New York City to lower its speed limit to 20 MPH with posted signage, except on roads with three or more motor vehicle travel lanes in the same direction outside of Manhattan. With traffic calming, speed limits can be reduced to 10 MPH on select roads. For all speed limit reductions, NYC must provide notice 60 days in advance and comment opportunity to the local community board.

“Passing Sammy’s Law was a critical first step in our effort to build safer streets in New York. The next step of actually implementing reduced speed limits will be a simple yet powerful way to reduce traffic violence and protect our most vulnerable road users,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “The Manhattan neighborhoods where DOT is reducing speeds will soon become much safer.”

“With the implementation of Sammy’s Law, New York City will finally have the power to set its own speed limits, which will undoubtedly save lives here in NYC,” said U.S House Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “Together, we can stop the epidemic of traffic violence in our City.”

“New York desperately needs safer streets and Sammy’s law is going to help make that a reality. After years of advocacy, I am thrilled that New York City now has the authority to begin reducing speed limits, particularly near schools, open streets, shared streets, and in new “regional slow zones.” In 2020, I was proud to introduce this common-sense traffic safety legislation in memory of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a young man who was fatally struck by a speeding driver just months before his thirteenth birthday,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “Since Sammy’s tragic death, his mother Amy Cohen has been a relentless champion for street safety through the organization she co-founded, Families for Safe Streets, and has inspired dozens of other family members who’ve lost loved ones to traffic violence to advocate for new traffic policies. New Yorkers owe these advocates, Mayor Adams, Commissioner Rodriguez, Governor Hochul, Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, along with my Assembly partner Linda Rosenthal, a deep debt of gratitude for getting Sammy’s law passed, establishing these new slow zones and for the lives that can be saved as a result.”

“As the Assembly sponsor of Sammy's Law, I am thrilled that the New York City Department of Transportation now has the tools needed to work with local communities to lower speeds and make our streets safer,” said State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “This legislation was named in honor of Sammy Cohen Eckstein who was tragically killed in a preventable crash in 2013. By lowering speed limits, we can combat the scourge of reckless driving that has claimed the lives of far too many New Yorkers. Today's announcement heralds a city with fewer crashes and safer streets.”

“We praise NYCDOT and Mayor Adams for this initial roll out of safer speed limits in our city. We also look forward to subsequent plans to expand this program where data shows it will save the most lives,” said Juliane Williams, mother of Doniqueca (Niiqua) Cooke and member of Families for Safe Streets. “These changes will prevent more injuries and death so no one will have to go through what I am going through, what Sammy’s mother is going through, and what countless other New Yorkers who have experienced injury or lost a loved one due to traffic violence are going through. We won't stop fighting until Vision Zero is a reality.”

“Sammy’s Law will make New York City safer and more livable; we are so glad to be celebrating the start of its implementation. Streets near schools are uniquely dangerous, an issue that disproportionally effects lower-income, non-white New Yorkers,” said Sara Lind, co-executive director at Open Plans. “We applaud DOT’s strategy to lower speed limits near schools first, as well as at shared streets and Open Streets where New Yorkers are more vulnerable to interactions with vehicles. Sammy’s Law is a crucial step toward building a city where streets welcome, and care for, all residents.”

“After years of hard work, we’re incredibly excited to see the City begin to implement Sammy’s Law,” said Elizabeth Adams, interim co-executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Speeding kills, and Sammy’s Law can and will save lives across New York City. Today’s announcement is a great start, and we look forward to a clear, data-driven, and equitable approach from the City to widely implement Sammy’s Law.”

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NYC DOT to Reduce Speed Limits in Select Areas Following Enactment of Sammy’s Law (2024)

FAQs

NYC DOT to Reduce Speed Limits in Select Areas Following Enactment of Sammy’s Law? ›

The recently enacted Sammy's Law gives New York City the authority to reduce speed limits to 20 mph on individual streets and to 10 mph on select streets undergoing safety-related redesigns, according to the DOT. The DOT plans to reduce speed limits in select areas in New York City starting in September.

When there is no speed limit posted New York law states that a driver should drive no more than how many miles per hour? ›

If no limit is posted, drive no more than 55 mph (88 km/h). Often, it is common sense to keep your actual speed below the posted limit.

What is the speed limit in NYC and outside of NYC? ›

The NYS statewide maximum speed limit is 55 mph unless otherwise posted. The NYC citywide maximum speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

What is the speed limit in a residential area in New York? ›

Speed limits in New York State
CarsTrucks
Urban interstates55 mph55 mph
Divided and undivided highways55 mph55 mph
Residential roads45 mph45 mph
Within New York City and other city limits30 mph30 mph
1 more row
Feb 28, 2023

Who sets speed limits in New York State? ›

The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law gives the authority to set speed limits to villages and cities. Towns with populations of 50,000 or more, or defined as “suburban towns” in Section 3A of the Town Law, may also set their own speed limits.

Can you go 5 mph over the speed limit in New York? ›

Speeding tickets include both high fines and surcharges.

If you are ticketed for speeding, not only will you receive a fine but you will also have to pay a surcharge. The exact cost is dependent upon how far above the speed limit you were traveling. Those driving <10 mph above the speed limit can be fined up to $150.

What is Sammy's law in NYC? ›

Sammy's Law allows New York City to lower its speed limit to 20 MPH with posted signage, except on roads with three or more motor vehicle travel lanes in the same direction outside of Manhattan. With traffic calming, speed limits can be reduced to 10 MPH on select roads.

What is the fastest you can legally drive in New York City? ›

Speed Limits in New York State
Within city limits30-45 mph (48-72 km/h)
Highways outside cities55 mph (89 km/h)
Interstates55-65 mph (89-105 km/h)

How much is a ticket for 24 miles over the speed limit in NY? ›

11 to 20 mph= $273 to $693 fine and up to 15 days of jail time. 21 to 30 mph= $573 to 993 fine and up to 15 days of jail time. 31 mph to 40 mph up= $903 to $1743 fine and up to 30 days of jail time.

What happens if you go 30 mph over the speed limit in NY? ›

From one mph up to 10 mph over the speed limit: up to a $150 fine, plus a Court Surcharge of around $100. From 11 mph up to 30 mph over the speed limit: up to a $300 fine, plus a Court Surcharge of around $100. More than 32 mph over the speed limit: up to a $600 fine, plus a Court Surcharge of around $100.

What is the speed limit in most residential neighborhoods? ›

Examples of statutory speed limits include:  25 mph in residential or school districts,  55 mph on rural highways, and  70 mph on rural Interstate highways. Posted speed limits (sometimes called regulatory speed limits) are those that are sign-posted along the road and are enforceable by law.

What is the fastest speed limit in the world? ›

As of 2018 the highest posted speed limit in the world is 160 km/h (99 mph), applied on two motorways in the UAE.

Is New York raising the speed limit? ›

2023-S2209 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Authorizes an increase in the maximum speed limit to 70 mph for travel on roadways that currently have a maximum speed limit of 65 mph.

Who decides local speed limits? ›

Individual states decide how speed limits are established. They set both posted speed limits, and statutory speed limits based on the type of road, and these laws apply even when there is no posted speed limit sign. Driving safely saves lives and it saves money on your insurance rates.

Who has the power to regulate speed limits? ›

Speed limits are established by an E&TS, by considering the following: Prevailing speeds (or 85th percentile speeds). Collision History.

What speed triggers a speed camera in NYC? ›

The camera equipment is evaluated daily, so that DOT can be sure the radar is collecting precise and accurate measurements. In addition, motorists do not receive a ticket unless they exceed the speed limit by more than ten miles per hour.

What is the speed limit on an unmarked road in New York State? ›

In New York State, the state speed limit of 55 mph is the legal limit if there is no posted speed limit. Details on posting speed limits in New York State can be found in the NYS Supplement to the MUTCD.

Is it illegal to drive too slow in New York? ›

1181(b) states that if a road establishes a minimum speed- which is common on highways- drivers must abide by the posted minimum speed. No motorist is allowed to drive slower than the minimum unless the motorist is entering the highway, exiting the highway, or preparing to stop.

How fast can you drive in New York State? ›

Speed Limits in New York State

The speed limit throughout New York is lower than many other U.S states at a 55 mile-per-hour maximum unless otherwise signposted. On some Interstate Highways such as I-787 and I-495, the speed limit can drop to 40 mph.

Is driving faster than the posted speed limit illegal? ›

Adhering to the maximum posted speed limit is the law. If drivers do not follow the signage, Meza said an officer can make an enforcement stop and issue a citation to a driver who is only going 1 mph over the posted speed limit.

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