NYC to Lower Speed Limits to 15 MPH in 800 School Zones by Year's End

Mayor Mamdani pledges to implement 15 MPH speed limits at all 2,300 eligible school zones by 2029

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:50pm

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New York City will reduce speed limits around over 800 public school locations to 15 miles per hour by the end of this year in a bid to make streets safer for children across the five boroughs, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Monday. The mayor said the Department of Transportation (DOT) will proceed with lowering the speed limit to 15 mph at 700 school locations where it currently stands at 20 mph, as well as 100 school zones with 25 mph speed limits.

Why it matters

Safe streets advocates have long pushed for lowering speed limits around the city as a key way to reduce the likelihood of traffic deaths and injuries. According to the DOT, pedestrians hit by a vehicle moving at 25 mph are three times more likely to be injured than those struck at 15 mph. The city has the power to lower speed limits in school zones to 15 mph after advocates successfully passed state legislation, named Sammy's Law, in 2024.

The details

The DOT said it will choose which school locations to prioritize for speed limit reductions by reviewing data to identify the most dangerous areas. Mamdani also pledged to install 15 mph speed limits at all of the city's 2,300 eligible school zones by the time his first term concludes in 2029.

  • The changes will bring the number of school zones where vehicle speeds are capped at 15 mph to 1,300 by the end of this year.
  • Mamdani pledged to implement 15 mph speed limits at all 2,300 eligible school zones by the time his first term concludes in 2029.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the plan to lower speed limits to 15 mph in 800 school zones by the end of this year.

Mike Flynn

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner who will oversee the implementation of the speed limit reductions.

Elizabeth Adams

The deputy director of the group Transportation Alternatives, a safe streets advocacy organization.

Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio

The New York co-chair of the group Families for Safe Streets, whose 5-year-old son Brian was killed by a speeding driver.

Amy Cohen

One of the co-founders of the group Families for Safe Streets, whose 12-year-old son Sammy was killed by a speeding driver in 2013.

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What they’re saying

“No longer will the lives of pedestrians and children playing outside be treated as an afterthought.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (amny.com)

“Everywhere that has lowered speed limits has seen an increase in safety and a decrease in people being hit and killed. The facts are clear, lower speed limits work and they make our neighborhoods safer. They should be non-negotiable.”

— Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Director, Transportation Alternatives (amny.com)

“This is about every kid, who tries to go to the park, who tries to go to the school, who tries to go to the city...this is about every single kid.”

— Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, New York Co-Chair, Families for Safe Streets (amny.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.