To the New York State Legislature, 

On October 8, 2013, Sammy Cohen Eckstein was killed by a van on Prospect Park West in Brooklyn, NY.

Unfortunately, Sammy's story is all too common in New York. Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for youth in the state (source: NYS DOH) and since Sammy's death, over 2200 people have been killed in NYC. Furthermore, 2023 is now the second-deadliest year for bike riders in NYC's recorded history, only behind 1999 (source: Transportation Alternatives). 

We, the youth of NYC, are tired of losing friends, classmates, family members, and neighbors to reckless drivers. We are tired of knowing that a driver might choose convenience and/or recklessness over our lives. We are tired of drivers speeding past our schools, community centers, places of recreation, homes, and places of worship. 

We know that speeds make a notable difference in whether someone who is hit by a car survives or is killed. We know that 25% of people hit at 32mph will die but only 10% at 23mph (source: NACTO).

Sammy's Law would allow New York City to set, and lower, its own speed limits. Currently, Albany has this control. We do not think it is just that a legislative body, whose majority do not live in or represent NYC, can prevent the city from changing local speeds. This is particularly important when a street is known to be dangerous. Sammy's Law gives NYC "home rule."

It is imperative that Sammy's Law be passed in this year's budget in order to save lives and ensure that not one more life is lost. 

Sammy's Law is a reflection of your values and priorities. We ask that you value and prioritize our lives enough to push this bill through.

Thank you,

NYC Youth & Our Supporters