Poughkeepsie Drivers: Citywide Speed Limit Dropping to 25 MPH September 1

If you drive through the City of Poughkeepsie, there’s a new speed limit you’ll need to get used to.

The city is lowering its citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph beginning September 1, just as the new school year gets underway and more children will be walking and biking around the city.

City officials say the goal is straightforward: make Poughkeepsie streets safer and reduce the severity of crashes.

The change follows a speed-limit reduction study conducted with the Dutchess County Transportation Council, which examined crash and traffic data throughout the city. The Common Council voted to adopt the reduced limit.

What roads will be affected?

The new 25 mph limit will apply to city streets unless a different speed limit is specifically posted.

There is an important exception for drivers: state-maintained arterial roadways are not covered by the new citywide limit. That means drivers should continue following the posted speed limits on those roads.

The city says it is also working with the state to increase speed enforcement on those major roadways.

That could include speed cameras in school zones and red-light cameras at some of the city's busiest intersections.

What about enforcement?

The city says there will be a period of public education and outreach as drivers get accustomed to the new 25 mph limit.

The timing is intentional. With school starting, officials are emphasizing the safety of children and pedestrians, particularly on neighborhood streets.

The City of Poughkeepsie had previously set its general citywide speed limit at 30 mph. The city's formal speed-limit proposal cited a citywide speed-limit assessment prepared by engineering firm Creighton Manning and New York State's authority allowing municipalities to establish a 25 mph citywide limit.

So if Poughkeepsie is part of your daily commute, September 1 is the date to remember: 30 becomes 25 on city streets.

And with signs going up and the school year beginning, it's probably a good time to give that gas pedal a little less enthusiasm.