The Day in History Class

In 19 74, President Nixon established a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour on every highway in the united states. The law was primarily intended to conserve the nation's fuel supply in response to the ongoing fuel crisis of the 19 seventies. It did curb petroleum consumption by over a hundred and 60 thousand barrels per day but that only represents a drop in demand of about one or two %. In 19 78, studies showed a steady decline in highway fatalities since the lower speed limit was introduced. Some analysts pointed out that the reduction in death is more likely due to a decrease in recreational driving because of high cost of gas.