New speed limit for Sydney CBD

While drivers crawl through Sydney's CBD by day, the state government wants to reduce speed limits to curb speeding at night.

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay says the introduction of a city-wide 40 km/h zone will help reduce pedestrian fatalities, especially between 6pm and 6am.

"That's the time where this really is important in the CBD in saving lives," he told reporters at Martin Place on Wednesday.

"Most of the day people are lucky to get to 40 km/h, we understand that."

The new measures, which come into force in April, will double the chance of survival for pedestrians, he says.