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Saratoga Springs is considering lowering its city speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour to enhance road safety. Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll announced plans to introduce legislation this summer, with the goal of implementing the change by fall. The move follows similar actions by nearby cities like Albany and Schenectady, which have already adopted the 25 mph limit this year.
According to The Daily Gazette, a state law passed in August 2022 allows municipalities to set speed limits as low as 25 mph. Commissioner Coll cited safety statistics, noting that a person hit by a car traveling at 23 mph has a 10% chance of dying, compared to a 25% chance if the car is moving at 32 mph. A small section of Congress Park already has a 25 mph limit.
The proposed speed reduction has received support from various city officials, including Public Works Commissioner Chuck Marshall, Mayor John Safford, and Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi. Account Commissioner Dillon Moran has advocated for the change since taking office.
The city's Complete Streets Advisory Board has recommended lowering speed limits on several streets, including West Avenue, Henning Road, Crescent Avenue, and Route 50, particularly near Skidmore College. Commissioner Coll is working with an engineering company through the Capital Region Transportation Council to facilitate the speed limit change.