New York City is introducing a 20 mph speed limit in select areas through a law known as Sammy’s Law. This new law is named in honor of 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle, and it was implemented to reduce motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Whether you are a NYC resident or just passing through, staying informed is essential to avoid penalties and ensure safer roads for everyone. In this article, we explain what Sammy’s Law is, the areas it affects, and the potential consequences of violating it. If you are issued a speeding ticket for exceeding the new 20 mph rule, do not settle and plead guilty, as the violation will stay on your record and have costly consequences. Instead, hire an experienced traffic ticket attorney from Rosenblum Law to help fight your speeding ticket.
What is “Sammy’s Law”?
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is reducing speed limits in certain areas to increase driver and pedestrian safety. Sammy’s Law allows NYC to display signage that reduces speed limits to 20 miles per hour on individual streets. Additionally, 10 mph speed limits may be applied to roads undergoing safety-related redesigns.
The NYC DOT has already started installing 20 mph speed limit signs in the city. By the end of 2025, the NYC DOT will reduce the speed limit to 20 mph in 250 locations across the city’s five boroughs.
Areas Affected by the 20 mph Speed Limit
Sammy’s Law is taking effect across the five boroughs of NYC, most commonly in:
- School zones
- Open streets, which are temporarily closed to motor vehicles
- Shared streets, or streets shared by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists
In particular, the NYC DOT is implementing a Regional Slow Zone in Lower Manhattan across Audubon Avenue. Additionally, 20 mph signs have already been installed in Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, from Grand Army Plaza to Bartel-Pritchard Square.
Penalties for Violating the New Speed Limit
The consequences of being issued a speeding ticket in NY, whether for violating Sammy’s Law or a different speed limit, can be costly and consequential. Fines and points are based on how many miles per hour over the speed limit the driver was traveling. The fines in NY State are as follows:
- $45-$150 for speeding 1 mph to 10 mph over the limit
- $90-$300 for speeding 11 mph to 30 mph over the limit
- $180- $600 for speeding more than 30 mph over the limit
The fines for a ticket in New York City may differ slightly from NY State, but the NYC courts follow the same laws for speeding ticket fines as in New York state.
In NYC, the points added to a driver’s license for speeding are as follows:
- 3 points for speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit
- 4 points for speeding 11 to 20 mph over the limit
- 6 points for speeding 21 to 30 mph over the limit
- 8 points for speeding 31 to 40 mph over the limit
- 11 points for speeding 41 mph or more over the limit
Additional penalties for speeding in NY include an $88 or $93 surcharge in addition to the fine, potentially higher auto insurance premiums, and a Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (minimum $300) for drivers with six or more points within 18 months.
The New York DMV is also changing its point system, which will impact drivers who are issued speeding and other tickets. For example, drivers who are issued a ticket for speeding in a construction zone will have eight points added to their license, regardless of how fast they are going. Additionally, violations from up to two years ago can now contribute to license suspension or Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) penalties.
With these stricter regulations in place, staying informed about speed limit laws is more important than ever. If you receive a speeding ticket, hiring an attorney can help you fight the charges and minimize the consequences.
Can I Fight a Speeding Ticket For Violating Sammy’s Law?
Fighting a speeding ticket in NY is both possible and recommended, as it can help you avoid fines, points on your license, and increased insurance premiums. Whether you are seeking to contest a ticket for violating Sammy’s Law or for exceeding a different speed limit, fighting the ticket instead of pleading guilty will help protect your driving record and avoid expensive fines.
An experienced traffic ticket attorney can make a big difference. At Rosenblum Law, we thoroughly understand NY traffic laws, can build a defense tailored to your situation, and will advocate for the best possible outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can effectively fight your speeding ticket.
FAQs
What areas of New York City will the 20 MPH speed limit apply to?
The 20 MPH speed limit will mostly apply to school zones; open streets that are temporarily closed to motor vehicles; and streets shared by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Specific locations will be determined by New York City's Department of Transportation and will be distributed across all five boroughs of NYC. Currently, 20 mph signs are located from Grand Army Plaza to Bartel-Pritchard Square in Prospect Park West, Brooklyn.
Why did NYC decide to reduce the speed limit to 20 MPH?
The new speed limit of 20 mph in certain areas was created to reduce traffic fatalities and severe injuries caused by speeding. Sammy’s Law, named after a 12-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle, is intended to decrease the likelihood and severity of pedestrian injuries in collisions, making streets safer for everyone.
When will the new speed limit take effect?
The new 20 mph speed limit under Sammy’s Law has already begun in various parts of NYC, but the NYC DOT is continuing to install new signage displaying the 20 mph speed limit in various areas. By the end of 2025, the NYC DOT will reduce the speed limit to 20 mph in 250 locations across the city’s five boroughs.
What are the fines for violating Sammy’s Law?
The fines for violating Sammy’s Law are based on New York’s Traffic laws governing speeding tickets:
- Speeding more than 30 mph over the speed limit: $180- $600
- 1 mph to 10 mph over the speed limit: $45-$150
- 11 mph to 30 mph over the speed limit: $90-$300
Will the reduced speed limit affect highways and major arterial roads?
No, the 20 MPH limit will not apply to highways or major arterial roads, where speed limits are typically higher. It is intended for local streets with pedestrian activity.
Can drivers challenge a ticket for exceeding the 20 MPH limit?
Yes. Contesting the ticket with the help of a traffic ticket attorney can potentially reduce or eliminate fines, points on your license, and insurance increases by getting the charge reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed altogether. An experienced traffic ticket attorney at Rosenblum Law can craft appropriate legal defenses and advocate on your behalf.
