With Strong Majority Support in State Assembly, Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets Demand Assembly Pass Sammy’s Law When Session Resumes

Sammy’s Law would allow New York City to set its own speed limits.

Since Sammy’s Law was introduced on January 20, 2023, 88 New Yorkers have been killed by traffic violence.

ALBANY, NY — A significant majority of state assemblymembers have pledged to vote in favor of Sammy’s Law, legislation that would allow New York City to set its own speed limits.

Sammy’s Law passed overwhelmingly last week in the State Senate, 55 to 7, and the New York City Council approved a home rule message with supermajority support. In the State Assembly, Sammy’s Law has broad, bipartisan support, with two thirds of the body supporting the bill – yet Speaker Heastie has not called a vote and has refused to explain why. 

Sammy’s Law is also supported by a broad coalition of state and national organizations – from the National Safety Council to AARP-NY, the Crossing Guards union Local 372, Reinvent Albany, and Consumer Reports. 

Sammy’s Law is named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn in 2013 just a few blocks from his home. Since his tragic and preventable death, more than 2,245 people, including more than 100 children, have been killed in traffic violence across New York City.

Statement from Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives: 

“Sammy’s Law, which would allow New York City to set its own speed limits, is common-sense, popular legislation – and that’s why a majority of assemblymembers, and a majority of assembly members representing New York City, have pledged support. 

Every day the State Assembly delays and ignores this legislation, more of our neighbors are killed. 

Last week, Sammy’s mother, Amy Cohen, and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, the mother of Bryan, who was killed by a reckless driver at only five years old, remained on hunger strike for 100 hours with a simple demand: call the vote on Sammy’s Law. 

Amy and Fabiola’s plea was heard by a vast majority of assembly members, with over a dozen members signing on as co-sponsors in the final week, and many more pledging to support if it came to a vote. 

Speaker Carl Heastie has an opportunity to pass critical, lifesaving legislation, and he must bring Sammy’s Law up for a vote in the State Assembly. 

We will not stop fighting until our streets are safe for everyone, and especially our youngest and most vulnerable New Yorkers.”