NYC Expands Slow Zones

By Y.M. Lowy

The city’s Department of Transportation is expanding its Regional Slow Zones program to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island in a push to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, speed limits will drop to 20 mph to help protect pedestrians and reduce car crashes.

This initiative is part of Sammy’s Law, signed by Governor Hochul in May 2024, which allows New York City to lower speed limits to 20 mph in certain areas. It officially took effect in October.

Public notification for the new slow zones begins this month, and the DOT will offer a 60-day comment period before implementing the changes.