Samenvatting
In 1987, the federal government relaxed the 55 mph national maximum speed limit, permitting states to post 65 mph speed limits on rural interstate highways. By the end of 1987, 38 states had done so and two additional states followed suit in 1988. It is estimated that the higher speed limit caused motor vehicle crash fatalities to be 26- 29 percent higher in 1988 than they would have been if the speed limit had remained at 55 mph.