Samenvatting
This paper estimates that approximately 6,000 lives a year have been saved on the national highways since the enactment of the 55 mph speed limit. Regression lines are established for the fatality rate on each of the major highway systems. These linear equations are used to compute the expected values of the fatality rates for 1974 and 1975. The expected number of fatalities on each system are computed by applying these rates to the reported amount of travel. The difference between the expected number of fatalities and the actual number represents the reduction attributed to the speed limit.