Speed Limits for Motor Vehicles (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (10 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
April 9, 1987 |
| Report Number |
IB86153 |
| Authors |
Migdon R. Segal, Science Policy Research Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
During the 99th Congress, bills were introduced, but not enacted, to amendor abolish the national speed limit. Most of these bills focused oninterstate (divided) highways passing through rural areas; the NAS report hadstated that the cost in travel time per life saved was greater on these roadsthan on others. Legislation that would have permitted the states to raisethe speed limit to 65 MPH on rural portions of interstate highways wasproposed, but did not become law.In the 100th Congress, similar legislation was introduced, once again inthe form of an amendment to the highway authorization bill. The amendmentallowing a 65-MPH limit on rural portions of interstate highways passed theSenate, but was not voted on by the House. The conference committee considering the highway bill (H.R. 2) decided to put the issue to a Vote inthe House, and the House approved the amendment allowing the speed limitincrease (217-206) on Mar. 18, 1987. The highway authorization bill then wasvetoed by President Reagan, who agreed with the speed limit amendment butdisagreed with other provisions of the bill. On April 2, 1987, the Congressoverrode the President's veto of H.R. 2, thus it was enacted into law as P.L.100-17.
