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Gear up for the celebration of 55 mph Speed Limit Day on January 2! This day commemorates the date when the US Congress passed a law in 1974 that set the maximum speed limit at 55 mph. The law was put in place to reduce fuel consumption and conserve energy, but it also helped make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. It's been almost five decades since this speed limit was set, and while some states have now increased their limits to 65 or 70 mph, this day is still a reminder of just how important it can be to follow posted speed limits. So let's celebrate by driving safely and responsibly!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Arab Oil Embargo</div><div class='timeline-text'>The OPEC nations imposed an oil embargo against the United States, leading to severe fuel shortages and escalating gas prices.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1974</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>55 mph National Speed Limit</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Richard Nixon signs the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, establishing a national speed limit of 55 mph to save fuel during the energy crisis.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1987</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Speed Limit Increased</div><div class='timeline-text'>Congress allows states to raise the speed limit on rural interstates to 65 mph.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of Federal Speed Limit</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Maximum Speed Limit law is repealed, giving states the power to set their own maximum speed limits.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First 55 mph Speed Limit Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The inaugural 55 mph Speed Limit Day is celebrated to mark the historical significance of this limit on US roads.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Drive 55 mph</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>It might not seem like the most exciting way to celebrate a day, but it is the best way to honor the speed limit. So take out your car, and drive that speed limit, and enjoy the scenery.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie about cars</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are plenty of movies that feature cars going at 55 mph. Grab some popcorn and watch a classic like The Fast and the Furious or Days of Thunder.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a road trip</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Pack up your things, grab some friends, and plan a trip with a destination of your choice. Make sure to keep your speedometer at 55 mph for the entire duration of the trip.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play a driving game</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab a friend or two and play an online driving game at the speed limit. There are lots of free ones available online that you can play together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Listen to a podcast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a podcast about cars that you can listen to while driving around town. This is a great way to learn more about cars and make the most out of your day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes safe driving</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The national speed limit of 55 mph was implemented in order to promote safe and responsible driving on the roads. By adhering to the speed limit, drivers are less likely to become involved in an accident or cause one due to their excessive speeds.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It saves lives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When drivers adhere to the speed limit, not only does it reduce the risk of accidents, but it also prevents fatalities. Studies have shown that reducing speed limits can lead to a decrease in fatalities due to automobile crashes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It saves fuel</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Adhering to a lower speed limit will improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency and help you save money at the pump. Driving slower means your engine doesn't have to work as hard, resulting in fewer trips to the gas station and more money saved!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The 55 mph speed limit was introduced due to an energy crisis</h3><p class='facts-content'>The United States mandated a maximum speed limit of 55 mph in 1974 as a response to the oil embargo, aiming to reduce fuel consumption.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The 55 mph speed limit drastically reduced traffic fatalities</h3><p class='facts-content'>Research has shown that there was a 16.4% decrease in highway fatalities in the first year after the 55 mph speed limit was implemented.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Speed limits vary across the world</h3><p class='facts-content'>Maximum highway speed limits can vary from as low as 55 mph to as high as 85 mph in the United States, while in parts of Germany's autobahns, there's no upper speed limit at all.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Initial speed limits were introduced for non-motorized vehicles</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first known speed limits were in the UK in 1861 for horse-drawn carriages, and was set at 10 mph.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Speed limits were lifted in the U.S. in 1995</h3><p class='facts-content'>The National Maximum Speed Law (NMSL) was repealed in 1995, allowing states to set their own highway speed limits.</p></div></div>
55 mph Speed Limit Day is celebrated on January 2 every year. In 2024, 55 mph Speed Limit Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Jan 2
Monday
2024
Jan 2
Tuesday
2025
Jan 2
Thursday
2026
Jan 2
Friday
2027
Jan 2
Saturday
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