By Gretchen Berger
Saturday was a disappointing day for many safe street advocates, as the 2023 New York state legislative session wrapped up without passing the bill known as “Sammy’s Law.” It had passed in the state senate earlier in the week, but never came to a vote in the assembly.
The law would have enabled the city to set and reduce speed limits to 20 miles per hour in sensitive areas, such as around schools, senior centers, dense residential areas, and busy intersections, to help reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. Researchers found that the crash rate decreases by 4%-6% for every 1 mph reduction in speed, and the fatality rate decreases by 17%.
There was mounting support for the bill from Gov. Kathy Hochul, city officials, and state legislators, as well as a push by the public, with daily protests at the statehouse in Albany, rallies, a barrage of calls to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and other legislators, and a hunger strike by four people, including Amy Cohen, the mother of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, the 12-year-old boy, killed by a driver in 2013, for whom the bill is named.
As reported in West Side Rag on May 27, a “home rule’ for Sammy’s Law passed in the City Council. A ‘home rule’ vote is required for amending state law for local governance on specific issues. After the home rule vote, the bill was quickly introduced by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, in their respective chambers.
Without the bill’s passage Saturday, in order to resurrect it, it will have to go through all the same legislative hoops as it just did — with another home rule vote in the City Council, then back up to the state legislature in Albany when it reconvenes.
Correction/Clarification:
Sammy’s Law Procedural Chronology:
To clear up any confusion, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal had originally introduced the “Sammy’s Law” bill in the State Senate back in January 2021, and Assemblyman Dick Gottfried (now retired) had co-sponsored it, but it never passed. Senator Hoylman-Sigal then reintroduced the bill a week ago when it had passed the Senate. It then went to the City Council for a “home rule” message vote, where it also passed. Without a “home rule” vote, a bill cannot be enacted into law. Then the State Assembly reintroduced the bill, co-sponsored this year by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, but failed to vote on it last week. A state legislative bill has a 2-year window after introduction, so this bill doesn’t need to be reintroduced again till 2025 if it doesn’t pass. Therefore, both houses can vote for the Sammy’s Law bills again as early as January 2024, when the State Legislature reconvenes. However, the City Council is again required to vote on the “home rule” message in 2024.
Thank goodness for some common sense in Albany. This bill was ridiculous. Pushed by Uber/Lyft lobbyists from TransAlt as part of an all out assault on responsible car owners. It’s a cash grab. They want to give out speeding tickets for people going 25mph. This would have created even more congestion. If they truly cared about pedestrian safety they would support “Lisa’s Law” after Lisa Banes who was killed by an illegal e-scooter.
‘Responsible car owners” should not have a problem observing speed limits that will make the streets safer.
But this isn’t that. This is a driving ban.
Please explain how lowering speed limits creates congestion.
Because congestion is caused by there being too many cars on the road than the road can handle. Either not enough cars can get through an intersection on a light cycle (this is irrelevant to speed since you are starting cars from a stop and the rearward cars during congestion never get up to more than a few miles per hour) or because there are so many cars on the road that following distances are minimized making people slow down out of necessity. Both of these causes of congestion mean that cars cannot reach the speed limit, no matter what the speed limit is. Speed limits do not cause congestion. Which is why congestion can even be found on highways where the speed limit is 50, 55, 65mph or higher. Speed limits and congestion have nothing to do with each other.
Speed limits and safety (number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities) on the other hand are a clear correlation. And in this case, the causation has even been proven.
When you lower speed limits, have traffic lights out of synch in some cases, have speed cameras on 24/7, as well as redesign the roads to make it harder to drive such as taking out lanes permanently like what has been done on some roads, it does create congestion. Congestion is being manufactured and the bike lobby wants to deny it despite City Councilmember Julie Won telling Streetsblog in an interview “congestion is the point” and that we must make it harder to drive around this city.
Don, someone’s child died and all they want to do is make the city safer for the rest of us! Sounds like you care more about your car than the safety of pedestrians.
They don’t care about safety, they care about banning cars from New York City and making it a gentrifiers paradise.
Explain how reducing the speed limit in front of schools, playgrounds and houses of worship will harm your quality of life.
We already lowered the speed limit from 30 to 25. This authority to have lower speed limits will be abused to have arterial roads at 15 or 20 mph which will cause congestion. Car usage has gone up. Ubers/Lyfts have flooded our streets. This is about making it more difficult for anyone other than Uber/Lyft to have access to different areas or travel. This isn’t about safety. This is why you didn’t have much loud opposition lowering the speed limit from 30 to 25 in 2014 and initial speed cameras. But what’s going on now is mission creep and we see it between increased traffic, congestion pricing, outdoor dining etc.
How many people were killed by cars in NYC over the past 12 months? Now, compare that to how many people were killed by e scooters. Your personal bias is preventing you from doing basic arithmetic. All traffic fatalities are bad, but you don’t need to be an urban planner to recognize cars are far more dangerous, it’s just a fact.
Getting rid of cars won’t help. People drive cars and people have needs MTA cannot or doesn’t want to provide.
Over 2M cars in NYC –
Boro| Vehicles | % of NYC
BX| 294069 | 13.1%
BK| 557131 | 24.8%
MN| 256630 | 11.4%
QN | 847495 | 37.8%
SI| 286096 | 12.7%
NYC | 2241421 | 100%
http://u.pc.cd/jf8
Actually data does not reflect life-altering or seminal injuries to elderly people from bike hits. For example, an older person hit by a bike then falls and breaks a hip – which eventually leads to death.
These situations are not reflected in data and there are more of them than one might realize.
How ‘bout some speed limits for e-scooters, e-bikes, mopeds, motorcycles and even regular bikes? None of the users of these vehicles obey even current speed limits. The delivery bikes go forty miles an hour. But it’s okay so long as you get your food minutes after the order. Who cares who is in harm’s way.
Speed limits for all of the above are the same as the speed limits for cars. It is very very rare that you will see a regular bike breaking the speed limit. It is almost impossible (except on a long steep downhill) to see a regular bike moving fast enough that it would trigger a speed camera.
They are plenty fast and homicidal. End of story.
The Albany Times Union reported Friday that the Assembly is expected to report back in about two weeks to resolve unfinished business.
Let’s hope this happens, and that Speaker Heastie and others in the Assembly bring this bill to a vote.
Kudos to Linda Rosenthal and Brad Hoylman-Sigal for their efforts to keep New Yorkers safe. I hope with the Assembly returning, Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell will also support this bill.
If safety is paramount then motorized vehicles should travel at a max of 10 MPH. Then we’d be safe.
If safety isn’t paramount, there should not be a speed limit at all, and car drivers should be allowed to go as fast as they want around around schools, senior centers, dense residential areas, and busy intersections, regardless of the deadly consequences.
25 MPH is an artificial limit aimed at keeping New Yorkers safe. Yet last year, 255 New Yorkers — children, parents, husbands, wives, friends, neighbors — were killed on New York City streets. Thousands more were injured.
It’s a question of how many deaths we’re willing to tolerate as a society. What this bill proposes is that New York City have the ability to reduce speed limits on streets known to be dangerous to save lives.
it’s deplorable that pedestrians with the least amount of protection are in harms way of every car, bike, e bike — scooter .. on sidewalks and flying through lights .. We have a major deadly circus going on. Who planned this mess and why is it not under control.. Deplorable
Sammy’s death was tragic.
I don’t drive – but it must be understood that the vast majority of NYC vehicle crashes and fatalities involve drivers using drugs/alcohol, unlicensed drivers, drivers at very high speeds late at night, car theft….
Lowering speed limits will have zero impact on dangerous/criminal drivers.
Example: Last week a teenager driving a Tesla at night was speeding in Brooklyn, jumped a curb and killed an elderly pedestrian.
It will stop drivers from taking the curve without looking to see that pedestrians have the green light right of way. Most pedestrians are killed in the crosswalk.
But it would cut down on injuries and deaths resulting from actual accidents where a child runs out between cars or where a driver is temporarily distracted.
I have lived in 4 states, 3 in Midwest and 1 southwest state. All those states had 20 mph speed limits around schools. I guess I am surprised this isn’t the norm.
We have ebikes and scooters here too, driving on sidewalks, weave in out of traffic, don’t follow the rules of the road or laws. We had a very prominent man killed by a man riding a bike on the sidewalk. I don’t live in a congested area like NYC but after Roger was killed, The police finally began enforcing the city law you cannot ride any vehicle on sidewalks. Unfortunately, Roger paid the price for our local non enforcement.
How children and the elderly are treated tells you a lot about a community. Hopefully Sammy’s Law passes. God forbid traffic gets congested!
PS I love visiting NYC, one of my favorite places.
Yes, you are correct: there are flashing signs to slow down around schools and bus stops in all kinds of towns !! NYC wake UP. You are endangering NYC kids as well! Where are the flashing yellow signs that say slow down — the streets are congested because we have so many parades that the avenues are blocked off .. NYC and their bike lanes and pedestrian parks where the bikes now fly through.. What a mess!!!! BAD PLANNING— Confiscate a few bikes .. “ Any bike on the sidewalk will be confiscated .. It’s like a boundary — it must have a consequence .. no consequence – no compliance .. You have to have consequences . Watch how they begin to comply when you actually take their bikes away
Please post the names of the lobbyists and their employers who spent effort and money opposing this law. Lobbying is 1st amendment stuff, fine. Are the lobbyists guaranteed anonymity as well?
Transportation Alternatives gets very wealthy anonymous donors I hear.
Transportation Alternatives is very wealthy and powerful and has been lobbying hard for Sammy’s Law
Steven,
My neighbor wrote to the Governor opposing the legislation.
He is a nice guy and among other things volunteers driving supplies to a homeless shelter.
Must we denounce anyone who does not agree with us 100%?
I feel horrible for Sammy and his parents. I am all for Sammy’s law. However, other laws have to be introduced – all regarding speeding e-scooters and e-bikes.
The most important issue should be enforcing the existing laws in addition to Sammy’s law and and most importantly keep all perpetrators accountable.
We are the only developed country in the world that views pedestrian deaths due to reckless driving as a cost of doing business. Introduction of new laws when the old ones are not enforced is meaningless. This is our major issue that needs to be addressed immediately. You killled a person due to your reckless driving , DUI or not, go to jail, period.
Reducing MPH will not fix the problem. Every day I see many cars going through red lights. I also see many cars speeding down all our streets. Reducing the speed limit will not stop these law breakers. The only thing that will work is punishment. Significant fines, licenses suspended, etc. None of this is happening. Criminal behavior of all types has become an acceptable way of life to many. It’s very sad.
We must still reduce the speed limit
We don’t enforce the laws we already have. Rather, we depend on people to comply voluntarily. And many, probably most, people do voluntarily comply.
So, if you pass a law lowering the speed limit, those decent people will likely comply with the new, lower speed limit.
But they’re not the ones killing people.
Some yahoo who wants to do 30 on a city street (whether because of drugs, alcohol or testosterone) is going to do 30 on a city street, whether you have legislated a limit of 25 or 20. Heck, make it 10 for good measure!
And he, or she, is still going to do 30. Or more.
Enforce the laws we have. Don’t just keep passing new laws hoping they will make a difference. They won’t.
The yahoos will keep doing what they want until they are stopped. So why aren’t we stopping them?
First of all:The streets of NYC are a mess— i have seen many close calls by all vehicles. We need to start somewhere! First drop the speed limit— this city has gotten crazy for pedestrians to cross safely. Start with cars.. But folks. We need to ban the E-Bikes they are killers in the bike lane. The bike lane was made for real bicycles .. Motorcycles and e-bikes ARE NOT BICYCLES .. Why are e- bikes in lanes made for bicycles. We have lost our common sense. They fly through lights!
This city is not safe for pedestrians. I am appalled at this mess. Let’s add bicycles on the side walls.
If you made bigger signs for bikes and confiscate a few for violation .. You need a better system for all modes of transportation. THIS IS NOT A DEBATE…
We have a circus on our hands since the pandemic — not to mention the very crazy men who are either homeless and mentally i’ll.. I have had two of them outright charge at me..
Everyone— The city is a circus unsafe for pedestrian an— We have the least amount of space to walk now and the least amount of body armor .. Do you suggest we begin to wear helmets etc while we walk the streets.. It’s a BIG MESS— it was safer before the bike lanes when bikes drove with traffic. They had more at stake when they were in the car lanes… Big mistake by Mayor Bloomberg who thinks that NYC is Palm Beach.. Living in his ivory tower in nyc with his limos..
What a mess— The congestion is a result of the many roads HE blocked off supposedly for pedestrians — broadway in the theater distric being one of them—- Pedestrians are not safe in those because i walked forty blocks and watched bicycles fly through those mini pedestrian parks: areas he and the city constructed .. The CONGESTION is a result of poor planing — There is no where for pedestrians ..Not only those areas but the sidewalk have bikes flying — literally at full speed ahead down sidewalks New York City is not SAFE anywhere for pedestrian .. We have created a monster !!! Thanks to Bloomberg and whoever else came up with this mess!!!
Happy to hear someone else say it; speaking as a pedestrian, I feel less safe with the “new” bike lanes! I feel like they double my odds of getting hit by a wheeled vehicle when crossing. I have many out of state visitors lately, and I make a big point about warning them to be careful crossing the bike lanes, including pointing out that the bikes will not pay attention to crossing lights.
Like you, I’m not sure what the answer is, but I don’t see how slightly reducing the speed limit could hurt anything.
Why didn’t the bill pass the legislature in Albany? Vote breakdown, please.
I now walk with a cane while an arm & shoulder heal from a break. I see the total craziness of traffic on the UWS just one block away from a public school on West End Ave & 96th St. I’m scared to be out there. Drivers don’t care.
“Sammy’s Law”, indeed! He continues to be dis-honored after his tragic death. Who are the Albany legislators responsible?
I’m a little confused by this article, because there is clearly a 20 mph speed limit sign on 89th and Madison across from St. David’s with the word SCHOOL highlighted and accompanied by a photo-enforced sign. There are several schools in that area but that’s as far as I went so I’m not sure if it’s posted on every block. Why does a law have to be passed in order for it to be changed in the rest of the city?
Why couldn’t we do all of these? Reduce the number of cars, in Manhattan at least, reduce and enforce speed limits in areas that obviously need it, AND ban electric bikes.
If electric bikes and scooters of various types can’t be banned, then limit them to delivery people; license and regulate the vehicles; require insurance; and enact and enforce new laws that keep them off sidewalks and park paths.
The problem with reducing the amount of cars in Manhattan is that Manhattan is not just midtown. People need cars and transit cannot do everything. Let’s face it, MTA planners don’t want to take care of everybody’s needs and always stress about how resources are limited when meeting with community stakeholders.
A side issue: How do we work with parents teaching young children to ride bicycles? On W.110th there are numerous groups riding on the sidewalks. Another point: I think we do need a law (and of course enforcement) requiring ALL bike and e-bike riders to wear a helmet.
The proposed law has limits as low as 5mph
The goal is to make it torturous to drive in nyc therefore a passive way to ban cars
This is an overreach
And of course the loss of this young boy is heartbreaking. Unfortunately the circumstances of his death are that lower limit wouldn’t have changed outcome.