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Title: 55 MPH: a decade of experience

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6397817

Benefits and costs of the 55-mph speed limit were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of state laws in inducing compliance. The topics addressed are as follows: 1. Introduction. 2. The Reductions in Speeds Resulting From The 55-MPH Speed Limit: the highway system: mileage, travel, and safety; amount of travel affected by the 55-mph speed limit; speed changes across highway systems; problems with speed data. 3. Highway Safety And The 55-MPH Speed Limit: short-term impact of the speed limit on safety; nationwide experience when the 55-mph speed limit became law in 1974; other causes of the decline in fatalities in 1974; international experience with speed limits; effect of the speed limit after one decade. 4. Estimated Reductions In Injuries And Injury Severity: injury data limitations; injury rate trends; economic savings. 5. Taxpayer Costs And Benefits: taxpayer benefits; public costs. 6. Energy Savings: expected savings; current fuel savings.

Research Organization:
Hawaii Univ., Honolulu (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
OSTI ID:
6397817
Report Number(s):
PB-85-234466/XAB; TRB/SR-204
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English