Sammy's Law: Advocates Say NYC Speed Limit Reductions Are Not Widely Implemented

Sammy's Law and Pedestrian Safety

• 💔 Sammy's Law, passed in memory of a 12-year-old boy, aimed to improve pedestrian safety by lowering city-wide speed limits.
• 🎯 The law grants New York City the authority to reduce speed limits on thousands of streets from 25 mph to 20 mph.

Advocates' Concerns About Implementation

• 📉 Despite passage in May 2024, advocates report that less than 2% of eligible roadways have had their speed limits lowered.
• 🗣️ Families for Safe Streets, an advocacy group, expresses frustration that the implementation of Sammy's Law has been slow, despite years of campaigning.
• 🏢 The city administration has committed to lowering speed limits in 250 locations by the end of the year but has not provided a timeline for full implementation.

The Impact of Reduced Speed Limits

• 🚗 Research indicates that slower speeds significantly increase pedestrian survival rates.
• ⚠️ A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph is six times more likely to die than one hit at 20 mph.
• 📣 Advocates emphasize that even small reductions in speed limits can lead to a general decrease in driving speeds, making streets safer for everyone.

Ongoing Fight for Safer Streets

• 💖 Advocates, like Julie Huntington, continue to push for the full implementation of Sammy's Law, driven by personal loss and a desire to protect their communities.
• 💬 The urgency for speed limit reductions is highlighted by recent tragic incidents in the community, underscoring the need for immediate action.