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Mayor De Blasio Signs Measure Reducing City Speed Limit From 30 MPH To 25

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed a measure that reduces the citywide speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25.

The City Council passed the measure earlier this month as part of the mayor's "Vision Zero" plan to reduce traffic deaths.

Mayor To Sign Measure Reducing City Speed Limit From 30 MPH To 25

"Families and children will be safer because of what we're doing here today. Lowering the speed limit will save lives. This is a major step toward achieving Vision Zero, and it depends on every New Yorker taking personal responsibility and putting the lives of their neighbors first," said de Blasio.

Mayor To Sign Measure Reducing City Speed Limit From 30 MPH To 25

Sammy-Cohen Eckstein, 12, was hit and killed by a vehicle in front of his Park Slope, Brooklyn home a year ago. His mother, Amy Cohen, led the fight for the lower speed limit, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.

"Drivers have more time to react when the unexpected happens," Cohen said, "and if a crash cannot be avoided, it's much less likely to be fatal."

The new default speed limit, which goes into effect Nov. 7, will apply to all streets where no other limit is posted.

Highways and parkways will still have higher limits and school zones will have lower limits.

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