Take Your Foot Off The Pedal; Sammy’s Law Has Passed

By Idy Perl

Governor Hochul was joined today by Mayor Adams and activists to celebrate the passing of Sammy’s Law, which will allow NYC to lower the speed limit on most city streets to 20 MPH. The law is named after Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy who died in 2013 after he was hit by a driver in Brooklyn.

With Sammy’s Law, the regulation of NYC’s speed limits is now under local law instead of federal law. The only exceptions are major thoroughfares in the outer boroughs. 

“Too many children have been hit and killed by cars speeding through our city streets, shattering families and traumatizing communities," Governor Hochul said. “We are celebrating the passage of Sammy's Law which will empower New York City to take back its streets and save lives."

"No parent should go through the heartbreak that Sammy’s parents have endured" New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “but Sammy’s Law will help save lives and prevent serious injuries by allowing us to set appropriate speed limits on New York City streets. Whether someone is crossing the street with a child, riding a bike, or driving behind the wheel of a car, New Yorkers deserve to be safe on our streets. I applaud Governor Hochul and our partners in the state Legislature for their leadership giving us the tools we need to increase safety on our roadways.

If this gets the green light in NYC, it's poised to become yet another cash cow for the city, serving as a convenient way to line their pockets through automated speed ticketing.