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It’s been decades since Congress decreed an energy-saving 55 mph national speed limit. Since the end of the energy crisis of the 1970s, speed limits have gradually edged up, and are now higher in some areas than they were before the “Double Nickel” limit was imposed.
The lower limit was imposed to save energy during what was thought to be a time of declining oil production. Turned out energy companies encouraged talk of a shortage in order to hike prices, and panicky drivers contributed to it by hoarding gas. The lower speed limits did save some gas, and had the added advantage of reducing highway deaths.
For some, regulating highway speed is a liberal plot to prevent freedom-loving vehicle owners everywhere from traveling as God intended – at top speed. After the energy “crisis” ended, Congress eliminated the national speed limit, allowing states to set their own limits. These days, Interstate speeds of 70 or even 75 mph are not unusual.
Despite what some may believe, laws limiting speed are not creatures of modern times. Here in Illinois, speed limits and traffic regulations date to horse and buggy days.
Before 1903, regulating the speed of motor vehicles was not a state function. Local laws, however, prohibited racing horses and horse-drawn vehicles on public roadways. In addition, it was illegal to drive a horse across a bridge at a gait faster than a walk, and warning signs appeared on all major local bridges.
Regulation of motor vehicles began when farmers started using steam-powered tractors to power threshing machines. In 1885, in response to problems the new machines were creating, laws required steam tractors on a public roadways to stop when they approached within 100 yards of any person with a horse or other animal on a highway. In addition, the law required steam tractor operators to have a man walk at least 50 yards and no more than 200 yards ahead of the engine to help control animals frightened by the engine. Blowing the steam engine's whistle while it was on the highway was strictly prohibited.
With the invention of reliable internal combustion engines, more and more enthusiasts bought or built automobiles. In 1903, for instance, Oswego jeweler A.P. Werve built that village’s first automobile.
That same year, the General Assembly passed the first state law regulating motor vehicle speed. The law went into effect July 1, 1903, and set a statewide 15 mph speed limit for all motor vehicles, although municipalities were allowed to set their own limits on streets within their limits. In addition to setting a state speed limit, the law also mandated drivers had to stop their vehicles immediately upon frightening a horse or other animal.
Four years later, in 1907, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring motor vehicle registration and the display of license plates. Vehicles were also required to have lights, horns, and brakes (always handy things to have). The law also set speed limits. Explained a June 7, 1907 Kendall County Record article: "The law regulates the speed to six miles while going around corners, ten miles on business streets and 15 miles an hour in the resident district. In the country 20 miles an hour is permitted."
In 1909, the law addressed motorcycles for the first time, requiring "that no person shall drive a motor vehicle or motor bicycle...at a speed greater than is reasonable and proper having regard to the traffic...or so as to endanger the life or limb or injure the property of any person." The statewide maximum speed limit was raised to 25 mph in 1911.
Then in 1914, speed limit enforcement finally came to the Kendall County Seat in Yorkville. According to a July 1, 1914, warning in the Record: "Notice is hereby given that the state law with regard to the speed of automobiles will be enforced in Yorkville. The law places the following limits on speed in town:
“In closely built-up business portions, 10 miles an hour.
“In residence districts, 15 miles per hour.
“Outside business and residence portion, 20 miles per hour.
“When going around any curve or corner, 6 miles per hour.
“The penalties are heavy fines; auto drivers are requested to take note of these restrictions.”
More revisions to the law passed in 1919 differentiated between autos, trucks, and buses. Auto speed limits maxed out at 30 mph, while the maximum for trucks and buses ranged from 12-15 mph depending on weight and type of tires (hard rubber or pneumatic).
Thereafter, limits continued to climb. In 1923, the maximum speed for autos was set at 35 mph, and 25 mph for trucks and buses weighing 15,000 pounds or less. In fact, the law prohibited owning a truck or bus capable of exceeding the maximum speed limit. The 1931 revisions required all trucks and buses to maintain at least 500-foot intervals on the road.
Then in 1935, the General Assembly did an entire re-write of the vehicle law. Auto speed limits were essentially eliminated for rural highways, but were set for municipal areas. The Illinois Department of Public Works and Buildings was empowered to alter speed limits on highways depending on engineering and traffic. Truck speeds continued to be set based on vehicle gross weight.
Various revisions followed at regular intervals, and in 1951, the maximum highway speed for autos was set at 60 mph.
Then in 1957, a completely new and comprehensive statewide speed limit was established. State-established speeds ranged from 15 mph in alleys to 65 mph for autos on highways. Those limits pretty much stayed the same until 1974 when the federal "Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act" set the national 55 mph limit. In April of 1987, when Congress allowed speed limits on certain interstates to rise to 65 mph, the days of the universal 55 mph limit were numbered.
What's all this mean? Not much, but it does offer some perspective: And while the 55 mph limit may not have been the greatest thing, at least we weren't required to have somebody walk in front of us to control frightened animals.
• Looking for more local history? Visit http://historyonthefox.wordpress.com.