The maximum speed limit was reduced to 55 MPH

 

 

Today this happened in the past—January 2, 1974

The maximum speed limit was reduced to 55 MPH nationally as The Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The law would take effect 60 days later.

Some states even reduced it further as Washington state.

Washington State

The Highway Energy Conservation Act was in response to the 1973 oil crises as OPEC found its ability to manipulate oil prices; and they did as oil prices spiked higher and shortages of gasoline created long lines to fill up the car.  Federal officials were hoping that consumption of gasoline would decrees by 2.2% but studies from both state and federal officials confirm that savings were really between between 0.5% — 1%.

Limits were placed on how much gas you could purchase during the oil crises.

Long lines formed as gasoline became scarce for everything and everyone.

If you drove during that time I am sure you would remember how awful this speed limit was, especially if you lived in rural America where distances are in hundreds of miles.

It was not until April 2, 1987, when the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act passed allowing a 65 MPH speed in rural areas that relief from the mind-numbing slow speed limit was granted.

Then Congress finally lifted the speed limit control in the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, thereby returning all speed limit decisions back to the states. The effective date and total relief from the menacing low speeds took place on December 8, 1995.

President Jimmy Carter was a big fan of the new speed limit after taking office

 Can you see yourself driving only 55 MPH on this road?