Mayor Announces Major Expansion of 15 MPH School Slow Zones

By Y.M. Lowy

New York City plans to lower speed limits to 15 miles per hour near schools across the five boroughs as part of a major expansion to improve safety for students.

Mayor Mamdani announced that the city will add 15 MPH school slow zones at more than 800 additional school locations this year. The plan, carried out by the New York City Department of Transportation, will bring the total number of school areas with the reduced speed limit to nearly 1,300 by the end of 2026.

The move is part of the expansion of Sammy’s Law, which allows the city to lower speed limits in areas where safety is a concern. The long-term goal is to have 15 MPH limits near every eligible K–12 school in New York City by the end of the mayor’s first term.

According to the city, there are about 2,300 school locations across the five boroughs, covering roughly 3,200 schools, including public and private schools. 

Data shows that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour is more than three times as likely to suffer serious injury compared to someone struck at 15 miles per hour.

Before new speed limits are installed, local community boards will be notified and given a 60-day period to comment. In some areas, the city may also add additional safety features such as speed humps, intersection improvements, and other traffic-calming measures to help slow drivers near schools.

PHOTO: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office