55 mph fact book

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6681067

Initally imposed as a fuel-conservation measure, the 55-mph speed limit has resulted in safety benefits beyond optimistic predictions. some studies indicated that 50% of lives saved each year on the highway since 1973 can be attributed to the speed-limit laws. Recently, the Department of Transportation concluded that 66% of the fatality reduction is attributable to the 55-mph speed limit. No other traffic safety measure thus far implemented has achieved this degree of success in saving lives. Selected facts about the speed limitation are presented in this publication: how the speed limit came about; the relationship between speed and safety; how the driving public is responding to the speed limit; and enforcing the speed limit. Questions most frequently asked by drivers are summarized and responses by the DOT are given. (MCW)

• Research Organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6681067
• Report Number(s): NP-23359
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
320601 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Conservation Services-- (1980-)
570000 -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AUTOMOBILES
COMPLIANCE
CONTROL
CORRELATIONS
DATA COMPILATION
DEATH
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENFORCEMENT
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUELS
GASOLINE
IMPLEMENTATION
LEGISLATION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
REGULATIONS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SAFETY
SPEED LIMIT
TRAFFIC CONTROL
VEHICLES