NYC DOT Reduces Speed Limits in New ‘Regional Slow Zones’ Across the City

Press Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2025
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

NYC DOT Reduces Speed Limits in New 'Regional Slow Zones' Across the City

'Regional Slow Zones' Are Being Deployed in Each Borough Following Passage of 'Sammy's Law'

New Zones Will Be Located in DUMBO, Broad Channel, St George, and All of City Island

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the city will implement Regional Slow Zones in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, after launching the first Regional Slow Zone in Manhattan late last year. A Regional Slow Zone is a specific geographic area where speed limits will be set at 20 miles per hour. The speed limit reductions are targeted to improve traffic safety. In addition to the Regional Slow Zones, NYC DOT has also reduced speed limits at 70 locations since last fall. The speed limit reductions follow the passage of Sammy's Law, a state law granting the city greater authority to reduce speed limits.

"Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "Our newest Regional Slow Zones will save lives and protect our most vulnerable New Yorkers in some of our busiest pedestrian communities. I want to thank the herculean efforts of Families for Safe Streets and Amy Cohen, who has tirelessly advocated in honor of her son Sammy Cohen Eckstein for the city to have greater control over our speed limits."

The new Regional Slow Zones will be located in DUMBO, Brooklyn; Broad Channel, Queens; St. George, Staten Island; and on City Island, in the Bronx. By the end of 2025, NYC DOT will lower speed limits in 250 locations, prioritizing areas such as schools, Open Streets, and Shared Streets. Each Regional Slow Zone was chosen based on the location having well-defined geographic boundaries to avoid driver confusion; and higher pedestrian volumes compared to surrounding areas. NYC DOT will begin publicly notifying community boards on its proposals this month, with a 60-day comment period to follow before implementation.

The new Regional Slow Zone areas are:

• City Island - The new Bronx zone will span the entire island, around 0.42 square miles. City Island had five severe traffic injuries in the past five years.

• DUMBO - The Brooklyn zone will cover 0.18 square miles, extending from Furman Street to the west; Water Street, Plymouth Street, and John Street to the north; Navy Street and Hudson Avenue to the east; and Sands Street and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway to the south. This area saw one traffic fatality and 10 severe injuries during the last five years.

• Broad Channel - The Queens zone will span 0.16 square miles from East Sixth Road to West 22nd Road. This area had one traffic fatality and six severe injuries in the last five years.

• St. George - Staten Island's new zone will cover the community closest to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, representing around 0.25 square miles. It is bordered by Tysen Street and Clinton Avenue to the west, Prospect Avenue to the south, Jersey Street to the east, and Richmond Terrace to the north. Speeds will be lowered on bordering corridors, except Richmond Terrace which will remain 30 MPH. This area saw zero traffic fatalities and 12 severe injuries in the last five years.

About Sammy's Law

Passed in the 2024 legislative session in Albany, Sammy's Law grants New York City the authority to reduce speed limits to 20 MPH with proper signage on individual streets. For roads undergoing safety-related redesigns, speed limits may be further reduced to 10 MPH.

Last October, when the law first took effect, speeds were lowered along Prospect Park West, where 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, the namesake of the legislation, was struck and killed in 2013. NYC DOT is also reducing speed limits to 10 MPH on all current Shared Streets, as well as Open Streets that have undergone significant design upgrades. Shared Streets feature distinct roadway designs that naturally slow vehicle traffic, ensuring a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Also last fall, the agency implemented the Regional Slow Zone in Lower Manhattan and reduced the speed limit along 1.4 miles of Audubon Avenue in Northern Manhattan.

"New Yorkers fought for and won Sammy's Law because it benefits everyone. Whether you're walking, biking, or driving, slower speeds keep us safe," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "I'm grateful to NYC DOT for implementing the policies proven to save lives, and I look forward to working together to keep up the momentum. While we celebrate this slow zone in DUMBO, we must continue to expand slow zones across this city and prioritize neighborhoods where crash rates are highest, such as North Brooklyn."

"It is proven that slowing vehicular speeds saves lives, prevents injuries, and reduces the severity of the injuries that do occur during crashes," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. "The implementation of a Regional Slow Zone in Broad Channel is fitting and appropriate and is certain to improve safety in the neighborhood. I thank Commissioner Rodriguez and his team at DOT for continuing to make safety a top priority for all who use our city's streets, as we look forward to the further implementation of Sammy's Law on additional streets in Queens."

"Lowering speed limits is a simple, powerful way to save lives - and thanks to Sammy's Law, New York City finally has the tools to get it done," said Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "Slowing down in neighborhoods like City Island means safer streets, fewer crashes, and a city that puts people first. This is how we honor Sammy's memory - by making every borough safer for kids, seniors, and everyone in between."

"Lowering speed limits in key areas across the city is a crucial step toward making our streets safer for everyone," said Senator James Sanders Jr. "I commend NYC DOT for expanding the Regional Slow Zones, prioritizing pedestrian safety, and taking meaningful action to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities. A safer New York is a stronger New York."

"City Island has had five severe traffic injuries in the past five years, highlighting the need for traffic safeguards," said Assemblymember Michael Benedetto. "Safety is paramount, and this Slow Zone is a step toward protecting all who live in and visit a gem like City Island in my district."

"Sammy's Law was a hard-fought victory that gave New York City the power to make our streets safer. The expansion of Regional Slow Zones-including in DUMBO-will help protect pedestrians, cyclists, and all street users in high-traffic areas," said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. "I'm proud to see this life-saving measure being implemented across New York City, and I look forward to continued efforts to make our streets safer for everyone."

"Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality," said Councilmember Lincoln Restler. "I'm pleased that DOT will be implementing Brooklyn's first Regional Slow Zone in DUMBO - a neighborhood densely crowded with pedestrian foot traffic. And I hope this step advances realization of Sammy's Law and a citywide 20mph speed limit."

"I lost my twenty-one-year-old daughter, Doniqueca Cooke, to a reckless driver, and I am glad to see DOT roll out 20-mile-per-hour speed limits in more regional slow zones throughout the city," said Juliane Williams, Families for Safe Streets member. "Slower streets will prevent more injuries and death so no one will have to go through what I am going through, what Sammy's mother is going through, and what countless other New Yorkers who have experienced injury or lost a loved one due to traffic violence are going through. I look forward to seeing future plans to expand this program widely across the entire city, especially in underserved neighborhoods."

"A 20 MPH speed limit keeps New Yorkers safe," said Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. "We're excited to see four more regional slow zones across New York City because we know that slower speeds save lives. This is a fantastic step, and we hope to see this program expanded to more neighborhoods across the five boroughs."

"Slower speeds save lives; they also create a more livable, accessible city for everyone," said Sara Lind, co-executive director at Open Plans. "These slow zones will give children and seniors more time at crosswalks, reduce chaos, and create a street culture that welcomes everyone. We applaud DOT's efforts to implement Sammy's Law in all five boroughs and look forward to safer, more livable streets in every corner of the city."