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55 mph Speed Limit Day, observed every January 2, commemorates President Nixon’s 1974 proclamation of a nationwide 55 mph speed limit. This law aimed to reduce gas consumption and improve road safety across the United States. Take time today to reflect on energy conservation, responsible driving habits, and the historical impact of this controversial policy.
Want to sponsor 55 mph Speed Limit Day? Learn how
Expected 55 mph Speed Limit Day Deals
While 55 mph Speed Limit Day isn’t typically marked by commercial deals, it’s an ideal time for organizations and brands to promote road safety and energy conservation. Auto insurance companies like GEICO and State Farm often run campaigns emphasizing safe driving practices. Automotive service centers such as Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys could offer discounts on vehicle maintenance, promoting fuel efficiency and roadworthiness. Energy conservation groups like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy might highlight tips for reducing fuel consumption. Additionally, driving schools such as AAA Driving School could offer refresher courses on defensive driving. We will update this page with confirmed live deals and awareness campaigns as January 2 approaches.
Platform Guide for 55 mph Speed Limit Day
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Mention @NatlToday and use #55mphSpeedLimitDay. Share historical facts, personal anecdotes, or opinions on reinstating the limit.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #55mphSpeedLimitDay. Post polls asking if the limit should return or tips for safe driving.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #55mphSpeedLimitDay. Share visuals of classic cars, vintage road signs, or infographics on fuel efficiency.
55 mph Speed Limit Day Hero
Richard Nixon
History of 55 mph Speed Limit Day
In the “first oil crisis” of 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries proclaimed an oil embargo on nations perceived to be supporting Israel. This category included the United States. The domestic oil production in the United States had no hope of meeting the increasing oil demand, so President Richard Nixon proposed that a national speed limit be set at 50 mph for passenger vehicles and 55 mph for trucks and buses, in a bid to reduce the gas usage of Americans. Before this, states set their own speed limits.
The U.S. Congress passed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, including a National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph on all four-lane highways. On January 2, 1974, President Nixon signed the bill into law, which became effective 60 days later. States had to agree to the limit or risk losing federal funding for highway repair. However, it had very low compliance across the United States. In states like New York and Nevada, the non-compliance rate was as high as 83%. This was made worse when some states, in an act of rebellion perhaps, reduced speeding fines and minimized the law’s impact. Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada replaced traditional speeding tickets with “energy wasting fines” of $5 to $15 as long as drivers did not exceed the speed limit that was in effect before the 55mph federal requirement.
In 1995, the U.S. Congress lifted all federal speed limit controls in the National Highway System Designation Act, returning the power of setting speed limits back to the states. Most states reverted to the speed limits they had in place before the 1974 proclamation.
55 mph Speed Limit Day timeline
The Colony of New Amsterdam, now known as New York, decrees that wagons, carts, or sleighs must not be driven at a gallop or risk getting a fine.
The first numeric speed limit sign for road vehicles is put up in the United Kingdom, with the speed limit set at ten mph.
New York City introduces the world’s first comprehensive traffic code.
In Dayton, Ohio, a driver named Harry Myers is given the first paper ticket in the U.S. for speeding at 12 mph.
In the wake of the 1973 Oil Crisis, President Nixon signs the National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph into law.
How Businesses Can Celebrate 55 mph Speed Limit Day
Local businesses can acknowledge 55 mph Speed Limit Day by promoting responsible driving and energy conservation. Auto repair shops can offer specials on tune-ups or tire rotations, emphasizing how these services improve fuel efficiency and safety. Gas stations could highlight tips for eco-friendly driving. Driving schools might run campaigns on defensive driving or the importance of adhering to speed limits, even if higher than 55 mph today. Businesses can also share historical facts about the law and its impact on American culture.
55 mph Speed Limit Day FAQs
When is 55 mph Speed Limit Day?
In 2027, 55 mph Speed Limit Day is observed on Saturday, January 2. It’s a day to consider the historical context of the nationwide speed limit and its lasting lessons.
Why was the 55 mph speed limit enacted?
President Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act into law to establish the 55 mph limit. The policy aimed to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices and improve overall road safety by reducing high-speed collisions.
When was the 55 mph speed limit repealed?
After two decades, the federal mandate for a 55 mph speed limit was lifted. The repeal reflected changing economic conditions and a desire for states to have more control over their highway regulations, though safety remained a key consideration.
What was the impact of the 55 mph speed limit?
Beyond its immediate effects on fuel and safety, the 55 mph limit left a lasting cultural impact, becoming a symbol of a specific era in American driving. It spurred innovations in fuel efficiency and continued discussions around optimal speed limits for safety and economy.
How to Observe 55 mph Speed Limit Day
Follow your state speed limit
You should follow your state speed limit every day, but it is especially important to do so on 55 mph Speed Limit Day. In the spirit of the day, also be more aware of road safety.
Pay your outstanding speed tickets
We’re all guilty of letting one or two speeding tickets slide and pile up. Let 55 mph Speed Limit Day be the push you need to finally pay off those tickets.
Drive on a 55 mph speed limit road
Get in the spirit of 55 mph Speed Limit Day by finding a road with a 55 mph speed limit — there’s still a few of them left in the United States — and getting a taste of what life was like in 1974.
5 Surprising Facts About Speed Limits
Different signs for different nations
Speed Limit signs look different in different regions.
Digital speed limit signs
Digital speed limit signs change depending on the time of day and traffic flow, and they inform law enforcement on high speeding areas.
Some places have no speed limits
In Germany, large portions of the federal highway, or Autobahn, only have recommended speed limits.
Some vehicles determine the speed limit themselves
Some European cars have an Intelligent Speed Adaptation technology which helps them automatically process the speed limits of the road they are on.
President Nixon wasn’t the first
During World War II, the U.S. Office of Defense Transportation set a national 35 mph “Victory Speed Limit” to conserve gasoline and rubber for the war effort.
Why 55 mph Speed Limit Day is Important
It reminds us about road safety
The fact is we need safer roads. From drunk drivers to speed devils, there are many risks to driving on the road. 55 mph Speed Limit Day allows us to take a step back and think about how we contribute to the safety of our streets.
It gets us thinking about energy consumption
The 55 mph bill saved about nine million gallons of gasoline per day in the United States. Today, the world is in an energy crisis, and 55 mph Speed Limit Day gets us thinking about how we use energy and in what amount.
Speed limits save lives
It seems like a no-brainer, but speed limits are exceedingly important. Love them or hate them, speed limits help us avoid thousands of road accidents every day. 55 mph Speed Limit Day is a day to celebrate the importance of speed limits everywhere.
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