On February 7, 2021, 16-year-old Sammy Chapman was killed in his Santa Monica home after purchasing drugs on social media. Now, his parents are fighting to pass Sammy’s Law, which would require social media platforms to allow integration with third-party monitoring software. The bill has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is one step closer to becoming law.
Sammy’s Law, now enshrined in New York State’s budget, empowers local governments to lower speed limits to 20 mph or below in an effort to enhance pedestrian safety. This milestone is a testament to the tireless advocacy of Sammy Cohen Eckstein’s family and other victims of high-speed crashes. Studies demonstrate that reducing speed limits to 20 mph significantly lowers the severity of collisions. The law grants localities control over this crucial aspect of traffic management, returning decision-making power to the communities directly affected.
Following the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy in Brooklyn, New York City lawmakers are moving to pass “Sammy’s Law,” which would grant the city the ability to lower the speed limit to 20 mph wherever needed without approval from Albany. The law aims to reduce pedestrian fatalities, with studies showing that lower speed limits significantly decrease the likelihood of death or serious injury in a collision. While the law has garnered support from safety advocates, some residents have expressed concerns about its impact on traffic flow and potential revenue generation through speed cameras.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed Sammy’s Law, included in the state budget, which authorizes New York City to reduce its speed limit to 20 mph. This legislation is named in memory of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old who tragically died in a car accident in Prospect Park in 2013.
