When were speed limits first enacted?



At this time, the focus was more on conserving fuel than on making people drive slower. The national speed limit of 55 MPH was set by President Nixon in 1974. It was increased in the 1980s to 65 MPH. It was in 1995 when states regained control to regulate their own speed limits.

It is important to note that regardless of who was setting speed limit laws or what that limit was set to, driving over the speed limit has always been against the law. If you got caught then, just as if you get caught now, you would be fined. Plus, speeding has always been linked to increasing your chances of being involved in an accident. This information is for education and is not legal advice.


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