Praising the Speed Limit

After ten years, the 55 m.p.h. speed limit qualifies as a success. "One of the most effective highway safety policies ever adopted," says a report by a National Research Council committee. The study, released last week, declares that last year the speed limit saved 2,000 to 4,000 lives, 167,000 bbl. of oil per day and $65 million of taxpayers' funds for welfare and medical costs to accident victims and their families.

Opponents of the law have argued that it is unnecessary on uncrowded interstate highways outside urbanized areas. But the study contends that if the limit on those highways is raised to 60 m.p.h. or 65 m.p.h., an additional 500 people a year will be killed. 10 million additional bbl. of oil consumed and taxpayers" costs raised by $ 10 million. The council committee advises an offsetting safety improvement for any waiver of the 55 m.p.h. limit: "For example, a state might be permitted to increase the speed limit on its rural interstate routes if it enacted a mandatory safety belt-use law."