The Evolution Of Speed Limits: From Custom To Law

Speed limits have been a part of road safety for over a century, with the first numeric speed limit for automobiles introduced in the United Kingdom in 1861. However, the question of when speed limits became law is a complex one, as different countries implemented speed limits at different times. In the United States, for example, individual states set speed limits within their boundaries prior to 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, establishing a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph. This was done in response to the 1973 oil crisis, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption. While this national speed limit was repealed in 1995, returning the power to set speed limits to individual states, it marked a significant moment in the history of speed limit laws.

The first speed limit laws

In the US, speed limits were initially set by individual states. In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to impose a numerical speed limit for motor vehicles, setting a maximum speed of 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. By 1930, all but 12 states had established numerical limits.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, which established a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph. This was done in response to the 1973 oil crisis, when OPEC members stopped oil shipments to the US and dramatically increased prices, causing a global recession. The national speed limit was intended to reduce fuel consumption and curb America's appetite for foreign oil.

The 1974 law also prohibited the Department of Transportation from approving or funding projects within states that did not comply with the new speed limit. Most states adjusted their speed limits accordingly, although some Western states with long, straight, and monotonous rural highways only reluctantly complied.

In 1987, Congress authorized states to reset speed limits within their borders, increasing the national maximum speed limit on interstates to 65 mph. In 1995, speed limit laws were returned to the individual states, and Congress repealed the national maximum speed limit. Since then, 34-35 states have raised speed limits to 70 mph or above on some roadways.

The National Limit of 55 mph

The National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL) was a provision of the federal government of the United States, which restricted the maximum permissible vehicle speed limit to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) on all interstate roads in the country. The law was enacted in response to the 1973 oil crisis, which saw oil prices spike and supply disrupted. On November 26, 1973, President Richard Nixon proposed a national speed limit of 50 mph for passenger vehicles and 55 mph for trucks and buses, as part of an effort to reduce total gas consumption by 200,000 barrels a day. Nixon's proposal also included a ban on ornamental lighting, no gasoline sales on Sundays, and a 15% cut in gasoline production.

The NMSL was included in the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, which was signed into law by Nixon on January 2, 1974, and became effective 60 days later. The Act required states to implement the 55 mph speed limit as a condition of receiving federal funding for highway repair. A survey by the Associated Press, on the day the Act was signed, found that 12 states already had maximum speed limits of 55 mph, 9 states had limits of 50 mph, and 29 states would need to lower their speed limits.

The NMSL was widely disregarded by motorists, and some states opposed it. However, many jurisdictions found it to be a significant source of revenue. The law remained in place until 1995, with proponents arguing that it reduced traffic fatalities. In 1987, Congress modified the NMSL to allow speed limits of up to 65 mph on certain limited-access rural roads.

The impact of the NMSL on highway safety is unclear. While automobile fatalities decreased during the time the law was in effect, this has been largely attributed to improvements in automobile safety and the passage of mandatory seat belt legislation. Some studies have suggested that the NMSL led to a decrease of about 3,000 to 5,000 fatalities in 1974, and about 2,000 to 4,000 lives saved annually thereafter through 1983. However, other studies have found that increases in speed limits after the repeal of the NMSL in 1995 led to an increase in road fatalities, particularly on rural interstates.

The National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph was a significant policy change in the United States, sparking debates about the balance between fuel conservation, highway safety, and individual freedom.

The cost of rising fuel prices

Speed limits have been a feature of road safety since the early 20th century, with the first speed limit signs posted at city and town limits. In 1925, the New York State legislature passed a law requiring that "each city shall have placed conspicuously [signs on] each main highway, where the rate of speed changes [and signs shall be] adequately illuminated between sunset and sunrise".

In the US, the National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL) was introduced as a provision of the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, limiting speeds to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h). This was a response to the oil price spikes and supply disruptions of the 1973 oil crisis.

Now, onto the topic of rising fuel prices and their costs.

The surge in fuel prices has a significant impact on both consumers and businesses. As fuel prices rise, so do the costs of transportation and freight, affecting anything that is transported by truck, train, or ship. This, in turn, contributes to the high inflation rates seen in recent decades.

The increase in fuel prices can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which sent the energy market into a frenzy.
• Oil producers cutting back on investment and less profitable projects due to pressure from low prices and institutional shareholders.
• A reduction in output during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for petroleum products decreased significantly.
• Sanctions on Russian oil imports, which further tightened the supply.
• Constrained refining capacity, as the amount of oil that refiners can process has decreased since the pandemic.
• Petroleum product exports from Russia being hit by sanctions, causing Europe to look for alternate suppliers.

Impact on Businesses

Rising fuel prices have a significant impact on businesses, particularly those in the transportation and shipping industries. For example, Target CEO Brian Cornell stated that the company was facing a $1 billion incremental cost due to higher fuel and diesel expenses. Walmart, Tractor Supply, Amazon, and Monster Beverage have also noted substantial increases in freight and fuel costs. The airline industry is another sector heavily impacted by rising fuel prices, as jet fuel prices surge.

Impact on Consumers

Consumers are also feeling the impact of rising fuel prices at the pump, with the national average for a gallon of gas in the US reaching record highs. Additionally, higher fuel prices contribute to inflation, resulting in higher prices for goods and services across the board.

Strategies to Mitigate Rising Fuel Costs

To combat the effects of rising fuel costs, businesses can leverage technology and software solutions to improve fuel efficiency. This includes using GPS tracking to monitor fuel efficiency, identify waste in operations, and create action plans to become more efficient in the long term. Additionally, optimizing routing and dispatching can help reduce travel times and fuel consumption.

While speed limits have evolved over time, the underlying goal remains the same: to increase road safety and reduce the risk of traffic collisions. Similarly, while the causes and impacts of rising fuel prices are complex and multifaceted, there are strategies that both businesses and consumers can employ to mitigate their effects.

Freedom vs. Regulation

Speed limits have been a topic of debate since the early days of automobiles. On one side of the debate is freedom, where individuals advocate for the ability to travel at high speeds without regulation. On the other side is regulation, where speed limits are imposed to promote safety, reduce traffic collisions, and conserve fuel.

Freedom

The desire for freedom when it comes to speed limits is often rooted in the idea of personal liberty and the enjoyment of driving. Some individuals argue that they should be able to drive at their desired speed, especially on long, straight, and monotonous rural highways. Historically, states like Montana and Nevada have opposed restrictive speed limit laws and imposed minimal fines for non-compliance.

Regulation

Those who advocate for regulation highlight the importance of safety and the negative consequences of speeding. Speed limits are set to increase road safety and reduce the risk of traffic collisions, with the World Health Organization identifying speed control as one of the key steps to reduce road casualties. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding-related crashes account for over 13,000 fatalities per year in the United States. By setting speed limits, authorities aim to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists while also reducing the environmental impact of road traffic.

A Complex Issue

The debate between freedom and regulation is complex and has evolved over time. While early speed limits were posted at city and town limits, the development of interstate systems and advancements in automobile technology have led to more standardized and nationally imposed speed limits. The oil crisis in the early 1970s also played a significant role, as President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act in 1974, setting a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph to conserve fuel.

A Continuing Debate

Today, speed limits vary across different states and countries, with some roads having no speed limits at all. While speed limits are intended to enhance safety and reduce collisions, the enforcement of these limits remains a challenge. The development of radar guns and other speed detection technologies has helped deter speeding, but the debate between freedom and regulation continues as automobiles and roads continue to evolve.

Speed limit laws by state

Speed limits in the United States have had a long and varied history, with the laws changing at both a state and federal level. While the setting of speed limits is now the responsibility of each state or territory, this hasn't always been the case.

Early Speed Limit Laws

The history of speed limits in the US dates back to long before the invention of the automobile. In 1652, the colony of New Amsterdam (now New York) issued a law limiting the speed of wagons, carts, and sleighs to a pace below a gallop. In 1701, Boston, Massachusetts, limited horse-drawn carriages to a "foot pace" on Sundays to protect church-goers. In 1861, the English Parliament set the world's first speed limit for mechanically-propelled vehicles, limiting the speed of "light locomotives" to 10 mph.

Early 20th Century

In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to pass a speed limit law for motor vehicles, limiting them to 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. In 1903, New York City introduced America's first comprehensive traffic code.

The 1970s and the National Maximum Speed Limit

In the early 1970s, rising fuel prices and the 1973 oil crisis led many states to adopt speed limit laws to save money and resources. In 1974, President Richard Nixon agreed to a National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph for all states. This was later increased to 65 mph in 1987.

Since 1995, when Congress repealed the National Maximum Speed Limit and returned the power to set speed limits to the individual states, there has been considerable variation in speed limits across the country. Here's a breakdown of the current speed limit laws by state:

• Alaska: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• Arkansas: 75–80 mph on inland interstates
• California: 65 mph on rural interstates; 70 mph on urban interstates
• Colorado: 75 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Connecticut: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• Delaware: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• Hawaii: Maximum speed limit of 60 mph
• Idaho: 80 mph on specific segments of highway based on engineering and traffic investigations
• Illinois: 70 mph on rural and urban interstates; individual counties can opt to set lower limits
• Iowa: 70 mph on rural and urban interstates
• Kansas: 75 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Kentucky: 70 mph on specific segments of highway based on engineering and traffic investigations
• Louisiana: 75–80 mph on inland interstates
• Maine: 75 mph on most Interstate 95 north of Bangor; 65 mph maximum elsewhere
• Massachusetts: 65 mph
• Michigan: 75 mph on up to 600 miles of freeways; 70 mph on the Eastern Seaboard
• Montana: 75 mph during the day; no numerical limit at night
• Nevada: No speed limit on highways; drivers must only drive at a speed that is safe for conditions
• New Jersey: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• New York: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph; minimum speed limit of 20 mph in New York City
• North Carolina: 55 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Oklahoma: 80 mph on portions of the turnpike approved by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
• Oregon: 55 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Puerto Rico: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• Rhode Island: 50 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Texas: 85 mph on State Highway 130, a toll road bypassing Austin; 70 mph on other rural interstates; 65 mph on urban interstates
• Utah: 80 mph, the highest posted limit in the state
• Vermont: Maximum speed limit of 65 mph
• Washington: 75 mph, although the highest posted signs are 70 mph
• Wyoming: 80 mph on specific segments of highway based on engineering and traffic investigations

Territories

• American Samoa: Maximum speed limit of 30 mph
• District of Columbia: Maximum speed limit of 55 mph
• Guam: Maximum speed limit of 45 mph
• Northern Mariana Islands: Maximum speed limit of 45 mph
• US Virgin Islands: Maximum speed limit of 55 mph
• Wake Island: Maximum speed limit of 40 mph
• Midway Atoll: Maximum speed limit of 15 mph

Frequently asked questions