NYC's lower speed limits take effect in some areas after passage of Sammy's Law

Drivers will have to hit the brakes on more streets around New York City this week as lower speed limits go into effect as part of Sammy’s Law.

Named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who was killed by a driver in 2013, the measure grants the city authority to reduce speed limits to 20 mph on individual streets, and 10 mph on streets undergoing safety-related redesigns.

The first street with the new speed limit will be Prospect Park West, where Eckstein was struck. A new sign will be installed there Wednesday during an event commemorating the law.

Later this month, city officials will also lower the speed limit to 20 mph along the length of Audubon Ave. in Washington Heights, and create a “regional slow zone” with 20 mph limits on streets south of Canal St. in Lower Manhattan.

DOT officials said they plan to institute a regional slow zone in each borough, and will reduce the speed limit along 60 additional routes by the end of the year.

“A driver’s speed can mean the difference between life and death in a traffic crash, so the speed limit reductions we are making will help protect everyone who shares our busy streets,” Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement. “I want to thank Amy Cohen Eckstein and Sammy’s entire family for their tireless advocacy to give New York City the legal authority we needed to reduce speed limits.”

Speed limits of 15 mph will be implemented at 47 school zones throughout the city, and 10 mph limits will be placed on “open” or “shared” streets that have been redesigned to better prioritize foot and bicycle traffic.