NYC Mayor Pushes for 15 mph Zones Around All Schools

Mamdani's Vision Zero initiative aims to lower speed limits and improve pedestrian safety near schools over the next 3 years.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is moving to lower the speed limit around hundreds of schools across the five boroughs as part of a major escalation of the Vision Zero initiative. The goal is to have every school in a 15 mph slow zone over the next three years, with 800 schools getting the reduced speed limit by the end of this year and all 2,300 schools part of slow zones by the end of 2029.

Why it matters

This expansion of "Sammy's Law" is aimed at improving pedestrian safety, especially for children, by slowing down vehicles near schools. Studies show that pedestrians struck by a car traveling 25 mph are three times more likely to suffer serious injuries than if they're hit by a car going 15 mph.

The details

The Department of Transportation is working to upgrade intersection designs and incorporate speed bumps to slow vehicles around the most dangerous locations near schools. While some drivers are upset about the 15 mph speed limit, the city's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says drivers need to learn to share the road more responsibly.

  • On Monday, the first school - Flushing International High School - had a 15 mph speed limit sign installed.
  • 800 schools will have the 15 mph speed limit by the end of 2026.
  • All 2,300 schools in New York City will be part of 15 mph slow zones by the end of 2029.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is leading the initiative to lower speed limits around schools.

Sammy Cohen Eckstein

A 12-year-old who was killed by a driver in 2013, which led to the creation of "Sammy's Law" that this new initiative is expanding upon.

Amy Tam-Liao

A parent who lost her 3-year-old daughter in a traffic accident and supports the lower speed limits around schools.

Jumaane Williams

The New York City Public Advocate who says drivers need to learn to share the road more responsibly.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Changing the speed limits [to] 15 mph will make a huge difference. It'll make our streets safer. It is proven that the slower drivers drive and if they can, their reflexes are faster to stop the car.”

— Amy Tam-Liao, Parent (cbsnews.com)

“Personally, it means that more lives will be saved [in] New York's districts. Families won't have to be at home and get the devastated [news] I got or found out that my daughter was in the morgue.”

— Julia Williams, Parent (cbsnews.com)

“I'm sure that there will be drivers who are going to be upset about this announcement, and so, to drivers, we are the most protected on the road and we cause the most damage and most hurt. So we have to learn how to share the road more responsibly.”

— Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.