Okla-homey
4/2/2008, 06:13 AM
April 2, 1987: Congress allows higher speeds
Twenty-one years ago on this day, the United States Government allowed individual states to increase the speed limit on rural roads from 55mph to 65mph. The move opened the forum for legislation that would, over the next decade, dramatically increase the speed limits observed on our country's roads.
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50702/2002697064669497062_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002697064669497062)
RMN slowed us down to 55 in 1973
Since 1973, when President Richard Nixon set a federal maximum speed limit of 55mph, no cars were allowed to exceed this speed. At the time and amidst a national gas shortage, the lower speed limit was mainly set in order to reduce fuel use since mid-twentieth century cars used less gas at the lower speed.
http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/48281/2006114866175225329_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006114866175225329)
Government television campaigns (including ads featuring Willie Nelson) proclaimed "55 Saves Lives" and "Don't Be Fuelish."
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/49082/2006141863653436735_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006141863653436735)
Highway workers lowering posted speed limits in the wake of the 1973 change ordered by Washington
After April 2, 1987, many states raised maximum speed limits to 75mph. Montana observes a policy of "reasonable speed" wherein drivers are urged to use speed prudently, but are not held to a numerical speed limit.
Congress lifted all federal speed limit controls in the November 28, 1995 National Highway Designation Act, fully delegating speed limit authority to the states. Several states immediately reverted to already existing laws. For example, most Texas rural limits that were above 55 mph in 1974 immediately reverted to 70 mph, causing some legal confusion before the new signs were posted. Montana reverted to non-numerical speed limits on most rural highways.
Hawaii was the last state to raise its speed limit above 55 mph when, in response to public outcry after an experiment with road safety cameras in 2002, it raised the maximum speed limit on parts of Interstates H-1 and H-3 to 60 mph.
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50542/2006154883906450232_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006154883906450232)
C.W. McCall (alias of Bill Fries) has stated that his 1975 hit song "Convoy" was inspired by the debate over the national speed limit. Incidentally, the song remains the most popular rap song ever performed by a white guy.;)
The debate over the safety of increased speed limits rages on. Many hold that increased speed limits translate directly into increased numbers of highway fatalities. Other advocacy groups claim that higher speed limits actually diminish the rate of accidents by thinning out traffic. Both groups use well-presented statistics to bolster their causes. New cars are certainly capable of handling higher speeds on today's roads, but are their drivers?
http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/49805/2006127035431340670_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006127035431340670)
Before joining Van Halen, ex-boxer turned singer Sammy Hagar proclaimed "I Can't Drive 55!"
On the fuel conservation issue, modern cars are mechanically more efficient than cars of the 1970's. They often do use more fuel at higher speeds, but it's worth noting that cruising at 75 or higher probably doesn't use significantly more gas than cruising at 55 as long as the driver doesn't stomp the pedal to the floor in order to reach the higher speed.
The general rule of thumb for best fuel economy is keeping the engine below 2500 RPM provides the best range. IOW, the tachometer is a better indicator of fuel economy than the speedometer.
Twenty-one years ago on this day, the United States Government allowed individual states to increase the speed limit on rural roads from 55mph to 65mph. The move opened the forum for legislation that would, over the next decade, dramatically increase the speed limits observed on our country's roads.
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50702/2002697064669497062_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002697064669497062)
RMN slowed us down to 55 in 1973
Since 1973, when President Richard Nixon set a federal maximum speed limit of 55mph, no cars were allowed to exceed this speed. At the time and amidst a national gas shortage, the lower speed limit was mainly set in order to reduce fuel use since mid-twentieth century cars used less gas at the lower speed.
http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/48281/2006114866175225329_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006114866175225329)
Government television campaigns (including ads featuring Willie Nelson) proclaimed "55 Saves Lives" and "Don't Be Fuelish."
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/49082/2006141863653436735_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006141863653436735)
Highway workers lowering posted speed limits in the wake of the 1973 change ordered by Washington
After April 2, 1987, many states raised maximum speed limits to 75mph. Montana observes a policy of "reasonable speed" wherein drivers are urged to use speed prudently, but are not held to a numerical speed limit.
Congress lifted all federal speed limit controls in the November 28, 1995 National Highway Designation Act, fully delegating speed limit authority to the states. Several states immediately reverted to already existing laws. For example, most Texas rural limits that were above 55 mph in 1974 immediately reverted to 70 mph, causing some legal confusion before the new signs were posted. Montana reverted to non-numerical speed limits on most rural highways.
Hawaii was the last state to raise its speed limit above 55 mph when, in response to public outcry after an experiment with road safety cameras in 2002, it raised the maximum speed limit on parts of Interstates H-1 and H-3 to 60 mph.
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/50542/2006154883906450232_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006154883906450232)
C.W. McCall (alias of Bill Fries) has stated that his 1975 hit song "Convoy" was inspired by the debate over the national speed limit. Incidentally, the song remains the most popular rap song ever performed by a white guy.;)
The debate over the safety of increased speed limits rages on. Many hold that increased speed limits translate directly into increased numbers of highway fatalities. Other advocacy groups claim that higher speed limits actually diminish the rate of accidents by thinning out traffic. Both groups use well-presented statistics to bolster their causes. New cars are certainly capable of handling higher speeds on today's roads, but are their drivers?
http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/49805/2006127035431340670_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2006127035431340670)
Before joining Van Halen, ex-boxer turned singer Sammy Hagar proclaimed "I Can't Drive 55!"
On the fuel conservation issue, modern cars are mechanically more efficient than cars of the 1970's. They often do use more fuel at higher speeds, but it's worth noting that cruising at 75 or higher probably doesn't use significantly more gas than cruising at 55 as long as the driver doesn't stomp the pedal to the floor in order to reach the higher speed.
The general rule of thumb for best fuel economy is keeping the engine below 2500 RPM provides the best range. IOW, the tachometer is a better indicator of fuel economy than the speedometer.