NYC to Lower Speed Limits to 15 MPH Around All Schools by Term End

Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT announce major expansion of 15 MPH school zones under Sammy's Law

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:48am

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New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn announced that the city will reduce speed limits to 15 MPH at every eligible school location across the five boroughs by the end of Mayor Mamdani's first term. This represents the largest increase to date in the city's use of Sammy's Law to improve safety around schools.

Why it matters

The move is designed to protect children and their families on city streets, as speeding is the leading cause of traffic deaths. Even a small speed reduction can mean the difference between life and death in a crash. This expansion of 15 MPH school zones follows the passage of Sammy's Law, which gave the city the authority to lower speed limits to improve safety.

The details

More than 800 additional school locations will see speed limits reduced to 15 MPH this year, bringing the total school locations with 15 MPH speed limits to 1,300 by the end of 2026. The administration plans to expand 15 MPH School Slow Zones to all 2,300 school locations across the five boroughs by the end of Mayor Mamdani's first term. Implementation will be prioritized based on available safety data and other planned street safety improvements.

  • The new 15 MPH speed limits will be implemented by the end of Mayor Mamdani's first term.
  • This year, NYC DOT will implement 15 MPH speed limits at around 700 school locations and establish about 100 new 15 MPH School Slow Zones.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the expansion of 15 MPH school zones.

Mike Flynn

The New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner who will oversee the implementation of the new speed limits.

Amy Cohen

The founder and president of Families for Safe Streets, who fought for the passage of Sammy's Law that enabled this policy.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

The Manhattan Borough President who led the fight in Albany to pass Sammy's Law.

Linda B. Rosenthal

The New York State Assemblymember who sponsored the legislation that became Sammy's Law.

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What they’re saying

“Families spoke up after unimaginable loss to fight for Sammy's Law and deliver our city the power to make our streets safer for New Yorkers. Today's expansion of Slow Zones for schools across all five boroughs is just the beginning. Lower speeds save lives, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect our neighbors as they move about our city.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Mirage News)

“Sammy's Law will save lives wherever it is implemented. In 2013, my 12-year-old son Sammy was struck and killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn, and ever since, I've been fighting for safer speeds on our streets. Thank you to every member of Families for Safe Streets that fought for this, every elected official that stood with us, and every coalition partner that joined us through a long battle - today would not have happened without each and every one of you.”

— Amy Cohen, Founder & President of Families for Safe Streets (Mirage News)

“Lowering speed limits is a tool proven to save lives, and I commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for taking action to keep our communities safe. The passage of Sammy's Law, my legislation granting New York City the authority to lower its speed limits, was in honor of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who died tragically at just 12 years old in a crash that could have been prevented if there had been lower speed limits.”

— Linda B. Rosenthal, New York State Assemblymember (Mirage News)

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 expansion of 15 MPH school zones under Sammy's Law represents a major step forward in improving safety for children and families in New York City. By lowering speeds around schools, the city is using a proven tool to save lives and prevent the kind of tragic loss that inspired this legislation in the first place.