The city’s new speed limit is now in effect, dropping from 30 to 25 miles per hour.
Drivers who are pulled over for speeding will face fines of $ 150 to $ 600 dollars, depending on how fast they’re going and how many speeding tickets are on their record.
They will also get anywhere from 3 to 11 points on their license, depending on speed.
A $ 50 fine will be imposed if drivers are caught by one of the city’s speed cameras.
The city’s Transportation Commissioner appeared on “Inside City Hall” Thursday night, and said the department is working to find a balance between safety and efficiency.
The speed limit change is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero program aimed at reducing traffic deaths.
Transportation officials say the reduction is critical because people hit by slower-moving vehicles have a higher chance of survival.
Meantime, those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents are big supporters of the mayor’s plan to lower the speed limit.
Sammy Eckstein, 12, was hit by a van last year near the intersection of 3rd Street and Prospect Park West.
Afterwards, his family became involved in efforts to lower the speed limit.
They formed the transportation advocacy group, Families For Safe Streets, and helped to drop the speed limit in the area where Sammy was hit from 30 miles per hour to 25.
His parents say they are happy to see citywide change.
“I think its something in Sammy’s memory and its hopefully something that will prevent other people from suffering this way. It is a first step, now it needs to be enforced,” said Amy Cohen of Families For Safe Streets.
“Yeah, its a step in the right direction but its really the beginning of a change. People really have to think about using our streets. Getting there fast is not the objective, getting there safe should be the objective,” said Gary Eckstein of Families For Safe Streets.
But even with the mayor’s plan in place, Sammy’s parents say they will not stop there. They are asking the NYPD to be active in enforcing the new law and to also install more speed cameras around the city.
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