On the other hand, they have prevented an estimated 1,600 crash fatalities. Breaking the Speed Limit In 1973, the federal government mandated the 55-mph speed limit at the behest of President Nixon, who proposed it as a way to conserve fuel during the Arab oil embargo. States, which had always set the speed limits on their highways, suddenly found they had lost their authority. Safety groups say speed kills. The Transportation Department estimates the 6.400 additional people will die each year due to the repeal of the federal speed limit.
Studies show that a third of fatal crashes are speed related.
In an informal poll taken from randomly selected motorists, all admitted to driving with the speed of the traffic, not the posted speed limit. Steve Walker, an Australian who recently became acquainted with America's congested highways, says that following the general flow of traffic is the safest and best ay to travel. You can more easily gauge the passing time and safety aspects of passing and lane changing, he stated. People have many different opinions about the speed limit safety implications. Speeders who receive speeding tickets for breaking the limit dislike it intensely.