NYC to Lower School Zone Speed Limits to 15 MPH, 24/7 Enforcement Planned

New York City will lower the speed limit to 15 mph in all school zones across the five boroughs by the complete of 2029, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Monday. The move, enabled by Sammy’s Law – a 2024 measure granting the city authority to set speed limits below the state minimum – aims to enhance pedestrian safety for children and families.

The initiative will be rolled out in phases. Approximately 800 additional school zones will see speed limits reduced to 15 mph by the end of 2026, bringing the citywide total to nearly 1,300. The administration plans to extend the 15 mph zones to all 2,300 eligible school locations by the end of Mayor Mamdani’s first term, encompassing approximately 3,200 schools citywide, some of which are co-located .

24/7 Enforcement and Concerns from Council Members

City officials intend to enforce the 15 mph speed limits around the clock, even when school is not in session . This aspect of the plan has drawn criticism from some City Council members.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) expressed concern that the 24/7 enforcement is “just another attempt at picking the pockets of middle- and working-class residents of the outer boroughs,” and argued it would further burden car owners .

Expansion of Vision Zero Initiative

The speed limit reduction is a major escalation of the city’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Officials cite statistics showing that pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling at 25 mph are three times more likely to suffer serious injuries than those hit at 15 mph .

The city recorded 205 traffic fatalities last year, the lowest number since traffic-related deaths were first tracked in 1905 .

Sammy’s Law and Citywide Speed Limit Goals

Sammy’s Law is named after Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a car in 2013 . The legislation provides the city with the authority to prioritize pedestrian safety in school zones.

Although Mayor Mamdani expressed support for lowering the citywide speed limit to 20 mph, he indicated that achieving this would require action from the City Council . The City Council responded by suggesting the Department of Transportation already has the authority to lower speed limits under Sammy’s Law.

The new speed limits will take effect after a 60-day public comment period .