Study recommends lowering speed limit on most Schenectady roads

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Leaders in Schenectady are moving forward with a plan to lower the city speed limit. A new speed limit study recommends reducing the speed limit to 25MPH on most roads.

The current city speed limit is 30MPH. The report found small changes in speed can drastically increase the chances of someone surviving a crash.

The city engineer said it is not just about improving safety for drivers and pedestrians. He also said more commuters are using alternative forms of transportation.

"Scooters, e-bikes, skateboards, things like that that are also now sharing the road with people, reducing the speed limit, if there were accidents, and we do seem to have those accidents happening, then the chance of serious injury goes down, and it goes down significantly," Schenectady City Engineer Chris Wallin said.

A public hearing will be held January 13. City leaders will meet a week later to review comments and decide the next steps.