City lawmakers want to slash the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph on residential side streets that are less than sixty feet wide.
The reduction is aimed in part at protecting kids from tragic crashes like the one that killed Park Slope child Sammy Cohen Eckstein, 12, who slipped while chasing a soccer ball near his home on Oct. 8 and was struck by a van.
His grief-stricken family moved the City Council to tears Thursday with their testimony during a hearing on the proposed legislation.
“Our family has suffered an unspeakable loss,” said mother Amy Cohen. “Every day is filled with pain so deep we are not sure we can bear it.”
Sammy was supposed to have his Bar Mitzvah next month.
The legislation was introduced by Councilman David Greenfield, who represents Borough Park, in 2011.
“We’re talking about side streets, not main avenues—where kids play, and dart in and out of streets because they’re kids,” said Greenfield.
The Council would need to work with the state legislature, which sets the speed limit on city streets — except those within a quarter mile of schools, and where traffic calming measures like speed bumps have been introduced.
Police do not suspect speeding in Sammy’s death so far in the investigation — but his mom testified that victims have a 95% chance of survival if they are struck by a car traveling at 20 mph rather than 30 mph, citing DOT data.
Sammy’s sister Tamar read aloud the tribute she gave to him at his funeral.
“You touched everyone you ever met and all these people are here today because of the impact you had on our all lives,” she said. “I am going to miss you every day for the rest of my life. I love you so much.
“I will remember this for the rest of my life,” said committee chairman James Vacca after she spoke.
Other cities around the world, such as London, Paris, and Tokyo have introduced similar measures in residential areas, according to Transportation Alternatives.
Eckstein’s father Gary said his wife borrowed a radar gun on Wednesday and clocked 25 cars above the speed limit on Prospect Park West — and watched three cars run a red light.
“It’s a devastating loss. We’re just hoping that other people won’t have to go through what we are going through, that other lives won’t be needlessly cut short,” he told the Post.
Amy said she hopes the legislation will finally be passed. “The city has made some progress, but clearly it’s not enough because there are still children like Sammy being killed.”
He said he hopes the next mayor will support the bill and strongly enforce it.
Bill DeBlasio’s spokesman said he supported the proposed law.
Joe Lhota also said he was interested in the legislation.
Additional reporting by Lia Eustachewich and Beth DeFalco.