Speed Limits in America: History of the 55 MPH Law

Описание: For some Americans, speed limits are the law. For others, they’re more of a suggestion. And for a plucky few … they’re a challenge.

According to a AAA survey, nearly half of drivers report going at least 15 MPH over the speed limit on freeways.

This goes a long way back.

In 1974, Congress imposed a national 55 MPH speed limit. The law came in the wake of the OPEC oil embargo — and was more about conserving gas than increasing safety.

And the thing about that 55 MPH limit was … everyone ignored it.

Traffic engineers say the ideal limit is the speed at or below which 85% of traffic is driving. Setting speeds too low can actually increase accidents by allowing drivers to travel at too many different speeds.

In the 1990s, Congress gave the power to set speed limits back to the states.

For a few years, Montana had no daytime speed limit. Today, the highest limit in the U.S. can be found in parts of Texas, where it’s 85 MPH.

Meanwhile, 11 states and Washington D.C. still have 55 MPH limits on their urban interstates.

Not that Americans are paying that much attention.

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