Amy Cohen's 12-year-old son Sammy was killed by a speeding driver in 2013. Despite bipartisan support and a hunger strike by Cohen, a bill — known as Sammy's Law — that would allow NYC to set its own speed limits was never voted on by the state Assembly.
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023.Broad bipartisan support and a nearly 100-hour hunger strike weren’t enough to get a vote in the state Assembly on a bill allowing New York City to set its speed limits.
It had widespread support. Every single national traffic safety organization from across the country weighed in in support. As did organizations like Consumer Reports, [public workers union] DC 37, AARP, healthcare providers. A super majority in the City Council, the state Senate passed it 55 to seven.
Everyone can get to their destination two minutes later to save a life. You only get a ticket if you go 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. And lower speed limits are proven to save lives. When people drive slower, the drivers' field of vision increases, stop times are shortened, reaction times are increased. Many crashes can be avoided. And when they do occur, they're much less likely to cause serious injury or kill someone like my son.
It's like we're not living in a democracy. We had the majority – far in excess of the majority. And the bill didn't even get brought to the floor for a vote. Really the bill is about so much more. This is really for all the families like mine and Families For Safe Streets who have lost children or spouses or parents and other loved ones. This is also about the lives we will save, unlike Sammy's.
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