Running head: US Highway Speed Limitations

US Highway Speed Limitations

Randy Solis
The University of Texas at El Paso
English 1312

US Highway Speed Limitations

Abstract
Since the advancement of the automobile in the US we have been burden with the
dreaded speed limits that govern our highways. Automobiles make up the majority portion of
transportation means for the US population. The everyday restriction most face with a motor
vehicle is speed limit laws. Speeding laws are enforced by radar wielding patrol officers and
when caught speeding individuals are required to pay a hefty fine every single time. The US has
had a national speed Limit law since 1974. However other countries have successfully had
functioning highway systems with no speed limit restrictions like the Autobahn. The US can
adapt a speed limit free highway system as well for a successful and more enjoyable traveling
and commuting experience.

US Highway Speed Limitations

US highway speed Limitations: A Literature Review

A speed limit is a law enforced by the government that states the maximum allowed
speed you can travel in on a motor vehicle, in most cases using velocity units of miles per hour
(mph). Posted speed signs are posted all along highways and city areas that inform you on the
allowed speed you can reach until the next speeding sign instructs you otherwise. The national
speed limit was first established in 1974 at 55 mph. This was the beginning of the everyday
struggle of having limitations on which speed you are allowed to travel with without risking the
price of a speeding ticket. Speeding laws are enforced by radar wielding patrol officers and when
caught speeding individuals are required to pay a hefty fine every single time. The average
speeding ticket is about $150 and in Texas if you are traveling at 15 mph over the limit you can
pay up to $240 .One in every six Americans gets a speeding ticket every year -- that's about 41
million tickets a year and 100,000 tickets per day ( George,2014).The Fact is that many cars and
people are capable of traveling at much higher speeds and in some cases some people need to
travel faster to get to their destination quicker. A large priority when traveling is making good
time but do to speed limit laws people are restricted from freely traveling at speeds they desire
and or require. This causes a big problem for those who traveler or commute by automobile. The
Autobahn in Germany uses and highway system with no speed limit restrictions and travelers are
free to travel at any speed they desire. The US is capable of utilizing this type of highway system
but doesnt which brings me to four important questions:
1. Why do we have speed limits in the US?
2. Why does the Autobahn have no speed limit?

US Highway Speed Limitations

3. How can we change speed limits in the US?

4. What would the US people prefer?
The following review on literature will: provide information on why we have speed limits here in
the US, why the autobahn doesnt have a speed limit, information on how speed limits change in
the US and what would the US people prefer in regards to speeding the limits.
Why do we have speed limits in the US?
The US government mainly justifies the speed limit laws with safety. The government is
likely to believe if there are not posted speed limits then motorists will automatically travel at a
reckless speed that ignores their own welfare or others driving on the freeway and without
concern for the consequences. Another justification would be that by having enforced speed
limits then they can in turn have control of traffic speed and flow. But these hypothesis have all
been proven to be false and many studies have been conducted that miss prove them. One federal
study conducted over a five year period had researchers monitor motorist response to speed
limits at 227 different locations around the United States (Baxter, 2014). The study then
continued to change the speed limits for some locations while other remained the same. The
result was that the overall speed did not change. Leading to believe that no matter what the speed
limit was the motorist will travel at a rate of speed they felt comfortable. The national posted 55
mph speed limit was repealed in 1955. Some people predicted that the change in speed limit
would increase the fatality rate of motorists. But the opposite happened even in those areas with
increased posted speed limits. Even with the increase of speeds limits since 1955 there are still
motorists requesting higher or no speed limit laws and speeding is an everyday occurrence. The
debate about having a no speed limit laws would pose danger. The government states that a large

US Highway Speed Limitations

amount of roads are just not capable of traveling at high rates of speed along with some vehicles
not able to safely to do so either. Road conditions are always taken into considerations when
applying speed limits or changing speeding limits. Vehicles however with newer safety
technology and reliable equipment are quite capable of traveling at much higher speeds then
posted and can often do it comfortable

Why does the Autobahn have no speed limit?

The Autobahn is a well-known highway located in Germany. The Autobahn has no mandated
speed limit. However some areas of the autobahn are exceptions to that such as urban places,
accident prone parts and places with bad weather or construction. The Autobahn has an advisory
posted speed to follow which is 80 mph but is not enforced just more of a suggestion. The
average mph traveled in the Autobahn is greater than that of the US highway system. However
the fatality rate is lower than that of the US interstates. This of course goes against the logic of
those in the US. Slower speeds usually meant safer conditions but this is not the case in the
Autobahn. This is due to the fact the Germans have stricter and more comprehensive tests
required in order to receive a drivers license. With better trained and experienced drivers on the
road the probability of an accident occurring because of driver error is decreased. Another reason
the Autobahn successfully has no speed limit laws is the roads are well-maintained (Sabantini,
2014). With better road conditions motorist are safely capable of achieving higher speeds
coupled with the addition of higher speed rated tires used in Germany. The left lane rule is also
strictly enforced in the autobahn. The left lane rule is general traffic rule in which if youre not
passing or going faster then everybody then you are not allowed to travel in the left lane.

US Highway Speed Limitations

How can we change speed limits in the US?

When deciding on the appropriate speed limit for a certain road a study is done. The first
thing done is measuring the speeds and volume of the traffic of the roadway. From that data they
gather they see a percentage of speeds traveled and decided from there. The percent is 85
meaning that they see the speed of 85% of the people traveling on the road and that is then
interpreted as the safe speed that is achievable on the road. So if one wanted to request a speed
limit change they would contact the traffic safety coordinating committee in the questions city or
state and request a speed limit change explain reasons or concerns. The road test is then done and
from that data is determined if the speed changes or remains the same.

Figure 1 General speed limit chart

US Highway Speed Limitations

In Figure 1 it shows the general rule of thumb of speed limits depending on vehicle type and road
type. It also shows that maximum allowed speed of 70 mph on motorways which is well below
the average of those who usually travel 80 to 85 mph on the Autobahn highways. The speed limit
for urban areas are justified but for those un populated stretch of highways the speed limits are
lower than those speeds that are easily and safely achievable at this day and age.

What would the US people prefer?

For the most case the US people would rather have no speed limits or at least like higher posted
speed limits. The internet is littered with articles and blogs bashing on the US highway systems
and the low speeding limits. The statics of traffic tickets given out for speeding is also a clear
indication that many motorists are traveling at a faster rate than the posted speed limits. In a face
to face interview done by Rand Solis the question was asked to an everyday commuter what do
you think of the US highway speed limits? I think for the most part they are kind of set low and
I usually go a little bit faster anways ( D. Corchado, face-to-face interview, November 2, 2014)
. He continued to say the only reason he does go speed limit is to avoid a speeding ticket which
as mentioned before is a major concern when traveling. He believes he and his car are easily able
to achieve higher speeds then those posted speed limits. So therefore believes they should be
increased so that people can get to where they need to quicker.

US Highway Speed Limitations

Conclusion
In conclusion the speeding laws in the US are created for safety reasons. The main reasons being
that without them then the possibility of traveling at reckless speeds are more likely and the
control of traffic flow is unachievable. But the facts are that US highways and drivers are not
capable of safely traveling at high speeds and that is always the danger when having an
unrestricted speed limit. The Autobahn is able to achieve this by creating better skilled and
experienced drivers as well as better maintained roads that are capable of being traveled on at
high rates of speeds. In order to change speeding laws the Traffic Safety Coordinating
Committee must be contacted and a study must be done in order to establish a safe speed for that
road to be traveled on. Eliminating or increasing the posted highway speed limit is what most
Americans want and by statistical standpoints is currently doing every day at the risk of
receiving a traffic ticket. Increasing the speed limits however has proven to be beneficial and
safer for US motorists.

US Highway Speed Limitations

References
Baxter, J. (n.d.). Do Speed Limits Matter? Retrieved November 2, 2014, from
http://www.motorists.org/speed-limits/do-limits-matter
Connecticut enacts first speed-limit law. (2014). The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:13,
November 8, 2014, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/connecticut-enacts-firstspeed-limit-law.
George, P. (2010, July 14). What is the average cost of a speeding ticket? Retrieved November 2,
2014, from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/cost-of-car-ownership/cost-ofspeeding-ticket.htm
Moore, S. (1999, May 31). Repeal of the 55-MPH Speed Limit. Retrieved November 2, 2014,
from http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/speed-doesnt-kill-repeal-55mph-speedlimit
Rask, M. (1999). American Autobahn (1st ed., p. 312). Vanguard.
Sabantini, J. (2014). Car and Driver. Whither The American Autobahn?, 1-1. Retrieved
November 2, 2014, from http://blog.caranddriver.com/whither-the-american-autobahn/
U.S. Department of Transportation. (1992). Reasonable Drivers Unanimous. Effects of Raising
and Lowering Speed Limits, 84-84. Retrieved November 2, 2014, from
http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/sl-irrel.html
What is the procedure for requesting a change to the speed limit on a particular road? (n.d.).
Retrieved November 2, 2014, from
https://www.sudbury.ma.us/services/individual_faq.asp?id=345