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Drivers in New York now have to drive more slowly. There is a new speed limit of 25 mph (40 kph). The old limit was 30 mph (about 48 kph). The new law is for 90 per cent of the city's streets. The Department of Transportation hopes people will drive more carefully and reduce traffic accidents and deaths. The city's mayor said he wanted to improve traffic safety and end pedestrian deaths. He said that many people in New York agreed that people must drive more safely and slower to protect children and seniors. Other people say the limit will make drivers angry and increase accidents.

Most countries limit the maximum speed for cars, trucks, buses, etc. They can also limit the minimum speed. The first speed limit was the 10 mph (16 kph) limit introduced in the UK in 1861. The world's highest speed limit is 140 kph (87 mph) in Poland and Bulgaria. Some of the world's roads have no speed limit. The most famous ones are the Autobahns in Germany. In 2006, the average speed on part of the Autobahn was 142 kph (88 mph). The World Health Organisation said 1.24 million people die each year in traffic accidents. This number could fall if people drove more slowly.