Photo: Getty Images
Albany officials report a decrease in traffic accidents following the reduction of the city's speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour, effective January 1. Between January 1 and March 18, police responded to 743 crashes, down from 889 during the same period in 2024.
The decision to lower the speed limit is part of a larger safety initiative aimed at improving road conditions. Mayor Kathy Sheehan explained that the change was influenced by a study showing a decrease in crashes and fatalities after New York City implemented a similar speed limit reduction in 2014. As part of Albany's broader investment in safety measures, the city has allocated over $100 million to enhance road safety.
In addition to the speed limit change, the city has installed school zone cameras to further encourage drivers to slow down. These cameras have been effective, with more than 10,000 drivers recorded exceeding the speed limit in less than a month after their installation. Anyone caught driving 10 miles per hour over the 20 miles per hour school zone limit receives a $50 fine.
Local residents have expressed concerns about speeding, with some worried about the safety of pedestrians. Patricia Habeck, an Albany resident, stated, "People are walking their dogs, they are jogging, they're walking. They're still doing the same activities before work. Someone's gonna get hurt really bad or killed." The city will continue to monitor the impact of these changes throughout the year.