One of the great concerns of New Yorkers continues to be the way in which reckless drivers exceed speeds on the streets of the Big Apple, and in their eagerness to be able to stop them, the City Council formally called on Albany to approve the “Law Sammy”, which would give the City the power to reduce the permitted driving limits, without relying on the State.
The municipal legislative body, with a large majority, approved a “Message of Autonomy” so that the state Legislature gives the green light to the law, before the end of the current session, on June 8, which must be submitted to a vote in the Senate and the state assembly.
New York councilors defended the urgency of giving free rein to the piece of law, called “Sammy”, in honor of Sammy Eckstein-Cohen, (son of Amy Cohen, co-founder of the organization Families for Safe Streets), so that speeds are reduced in areas with the presence of schools, centers for the elderly, and vulnerable communities.
“The traffic violence epidemic in New York State has caused immense suffering and loss, both emotional and financial. The economic cost alone is estimated to be at least $15 billion annually, which includes hospitalization, emergency response, lost wages, legal expenses, and loss of economic activity,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Gutierrez, sponsor of the motion. . “This crisis affects all New Yorkers, from the high-poverty neighborhoods to the wealthy, from children to the elderly, and from bicyclists to pedestrians.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who joined the call for Albany, stressed that slowing down prevents deaths, and called on the state Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to support the rule.
“I always say that road safety is public safety. I sent a request for a message of autonomy to our partners in the City Council, so that New York City has the tools we need to keep New Yorkers safe on our streets, “said the burgomaster.
Ydanis Rodríguez, commissioner of the City Department of Transportation, warned that the approval of the Council’s autonomy rule is a step forward to give the City a tool that can continue to save lives, by controlling speed limits on their own streets.
“Increased driving speeds are closely related to the risk of traffic fatalities, and New York City’s ability to enforce speed limits on our own streets will build on our successful effort to reduce fatalities. and serious injuries from traffic accidents,” the official said.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, sponsor of “Sammy’s Bill,” said that with its passage, it will be a game changer for street safety by allowing New York City to set its own speed limits and save lives.
Elizabeth Adams, deputy executive director of public affairs for Transportation Alternatives, said having a change in the speed of cars in the Big Apple will make a huge difference.
“Five mph (miles per hour less) can be the difference between life and death on our streets,” said the community leader. “The City Council sent a powerful message in support of safe streets by passing a home rule resolution for Sammy’s Law, which would allow New York City to control its own speed limits, paving the way for Albany to act.”