Mayor Walsh Calls for 25 MPH Default Speed Limit on Boston Streets

BOSTON, MA - A state bill signed into law this week allows cities to let local speed limits independent of legislative approval, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has thoughts on the direction the city should go.

The issue arose locally after a drag-racing car hit a Beacon Street pedestrian earlier this year. At the time, some in city government pushed to decrease speed limits on certain streets as low as 20 miles per hour. The default speed limit on city streets is currently 30 miles per hour.

Walsh weighed in through a statement Thursday:

"I am pleased that H. 4565, An Act modernizing municipal finance and government, signed by the Governor this week, will give municipalities the authority to lower default speed limits. Commissioner Fiandaca and I look forward to working with the Boston City Council once this law goes into effect to lower the default speed limit in Boston from 30 MPH to 25 MPH. We know that lower speed limits are an important tool in reducing fatal and serious crashes and creating safer streets for people of all ages and abilities who are walking, driving, and bicycling."