The original 55 mph speed-limit law, enacted in October 1974 after the OPEC oil embargo as a way to save energy, was probably the most despised and universally disobeyed law in America since Prohibition. In wide-open western states, driving at 70 mph or even 80 mph on miles upon miles of straight, flat, uncongested freeways is regarded as a God-given right. In the 1970s and ’80s, the federal speed limit was a daily reminder of the intrusiveness of nanny-state regulation.
States were bullied into complying. If they didn’t, they risked losing federal highway money — which came from the gas taxes paid in part by their own residents. The law — “double nickel,” as it was called — was so hated in Montana that the state legislature passed a law capping speeding tickets at $5. In Wyoming, the highway patrol told speeders to hold on to the tickets they issued because they were good for the whole day.
In 1995, the newly ascendant Republican Congress repealed the 55 mph limit. Most states acted quickly to allow speeds of up to 65 mph or even 75 mph on their interstates, and for good reason. As an energy saving policy, the double nickel was a bust. The National Motorists Association reports that about 95% of American drivers regularly exceeded the federal speed limit.
Umm, a 55 mph national speed limit is probably one of the stupidest ideas I have heard in a while. Seriously. People don’t even drive by the speed limit now, and it’s at 65, 75. Why would they drive any slower? And so many people would be driving that fast that the police would just stop caring.
And personally, I’d rather save time than money. B/c when it comes down to it, if it comes down to me wasting time on the highways or me slowly using up our natural resources, I’m sorry to say that I’d rather save time than resources.