NYC lowers speed limits to 20 mph in neighborhoods

New York City will soon lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour in four neighborhoods. This change is part of a new program called "regional slow zones." Transportation officials hope this will help reduce traffic accidents and improve safety. The affected areas are Dumbo in Brooklyn, Broad Channel in Queens, St. George in Staten Island, and City Island in the Bronx. The speed limit reduction follows the passing of Sammy's Law, which allows cities to set lower speed limits. The law was named after a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a traffic accident in 2013. The city previously launched a slow zone in Lower Manhattan and is now expanding to the outer boroughs. There will be a 60-day comment period where residents can share their thoughts before the new limits are finalized. Opinions on the speed limit changes are mixed among local residents. Some, like Matt Kasicki from St. George, support the reduction, especially near schools. He believes it could help prevent accidents. Others, like Karen Thaisz, are skeptical and worry it will cause frustration for drivers, who may already be aggravated by slow traffic. In addition to these new zones, the city has already lowered speed limits at 70 locations and plans to reduce limits at 250 spots by the end of 2025. This will prioritize areas close to schools and specific open streets. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated that even small reductions in speed limits could save lives in traffic accidents. However, some residents, including Paul King from Rockaway, feel the change may slow down commutes without improving safety. Others, like John Cori, believe that better enforcement of existing laws would be more effective than simply lowering speed limits.