On January 2, 1974, U.S. President Richard Nixon signed an executive order adding to U.S. law a speed limit that today would seem unreasonable to most of the world: 55 miles per hour (88.5 km/h). This restriction went into effect 60 days later and was enforced nationwide. What caused the president to interfere with the driving speed of citizens? We used ChatGPT to understand.
In the early 70s, the United States found itself in an energy crisis. The Arab oil embargo, imposed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Arab States (OAPEC) in response to US support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War, led to a dramatic decline in oil exports to the US. Gasoline prices soared, long lines formed at gas stations, and a sense of urgency and uncertainty took over life. The American lifestyle, which focuses on powerful cars, faced a challenge, and a solution was desperately needed.
President Nixon proposed a dramatic and unprecedented step: a national speed limit that would prevent speeding and fuel-wasting driving throughout the United States. Originally, in November 1973, he spoke of a limit of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) for private cars and 55 miles per hour for buses and trucks. The source of the difference was the perception that private and commercial vehicles reach optimal fuel utilization at different speeds. Oddly enough, the California Trucking Association opposed the move, arguing that various restrictions on vehicles traveling on the same roads were foolish from a safety perspective.
Finally, as mentioned, it was decided to limit all types of vehicles to the same speed – 55 miles per hour on all highways. Of course, on local roads the restrictions were lower. 21 states were not affected by the order – in 12 states the limit on highways was already 55 miles per hour, and in another 9 the restrictions were lower. Only 29 countries have had to lower their existing speed limits. Apart from the speed limits, the order included prohibitions on petroleum-based decorative lighting.
The speed limit of 55 miles per hour has become an iconic feature of American highways. Even after the oil crisis ended, the restriction remained in place, because beyond fuel savings, it allegedly led to fewer serious traffic accidents. It wasn't until 1995 that Congress decided to abolish the national limit and allow states to decide for themselves what speed limits are on their highways.
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