Boston's 25 MPH Speed Limit Started Monday

BOSTON, MA — Boston's City Council this December passed a local ordinance declaring 25 mile per hour default speed limit on otherwise unmarked city streets.

Previously, that default limit is 30 miles per hour. The new speed limit took effect Monday.

The new limits apply only to city streets, and does not include state-owned roadways.

A law signed last summer by the governor gave cities the authority to reduce their default speed limits. City Councilors on Wednesday formally voted to reduce that speed here.

As of January 9, unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on all City of Boston roadways will be 25 mph.

According to the mayor's office, Boston Transportation Department teams are auditing existing speed limit signs, and will fabricate new signs as necessary, and 25 mph speed limit signs will be posted at entrance points and other strategic locations in the City. The mayor's office estimates at least 17 people have been killed in traffic crashes on city streets; five were killed while in a car or truck, and 12 lost their lives while walking.

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