Review of information on the safety effects of the 55 mph speed limit in the U.S.

The background and events leading to the 55 mph speed limit are presented, with a description of gross changes observed in the U.S. highway safety system. Implementation of the spped limit coincided with other changes that affected highway safety, namely the fuel shortage and recession. Evidence points lower speeds as a principal reason for the decrease in highway fatalities. See B 14094 for the paper copy of this report.