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Long-term effects of repealing the national maximum speed limit in the United States

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  • Friedman, L.S.
  • Hedeker, D.
  • Richter, E.D.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the long-term effects of the 1995 repeal of federal speed limit controls on road fatalities and injuries in fatal crashes. Methods. We used a Poisson mixed-regression model to assess changes in the number of fatalities and injuries in fatal crashes between 1995 and 2005 on rural interstates, where all US states have raised speed limits since the repeal, as well as on urban interstates and noninterstate roads, where many states have raised speed limits. Results. We found a 3.2% increase in road fatalities attributable to the raised speed limits on all road types in the United States. The highest increases were on rural interstates (9.1%) and urban interstates (4.0%). We estimated that 12545 deaths (95% confidence interval [CI]=8739, 16352) and 36583 injuries in fatal crashes (95% CI=29322, 43844) were attributable to increases in speed limits across the United States. Conclusions. Reduced speed limits and improved enforcement with speed camera networks could immediately reduce speeds and save lives, in addition to reducing gas consumption, cutting emissions of air pollutants, saving valuable years of productivity, and reducing the cost of motor vehicle crashes.

Suggested Citation

  • Friedman, L.S. & Hedeker, D. & Richter, E.D., 2009. "Long-term effects of repealing the national maximum speed limit in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(9), pages 1626-1631.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2008.153726_3
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.153726
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    Cited by:

    1. Joseph Aldy & Matthew J. Kotchen & Mary Evans & Meredith Fowlie & Arik Levinson & Karen Palmer, 2021. "Cobenefits and Regulatory Impact Analysis: Theory and Evidence from Federal Air Quality Regulations," Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(1), pages 117-156.
    2. Rafee Musabbir, Sarder & Zhang, Michael PhD, 2023. "Assessing the Economic Impact of Speed Limit Changes on Safety and Mobility in California," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7r94h26c, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    3. Noland, Robert B., 2013. "From theory to practice in road safety policy: Understanding risk versus mobility," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 71-84.
    4. repec:ipf:psejou:v:42:y:2018:i:42:p:45-65 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Mercedes Castro-Nuno & José I. Castillo-Manzano & Diego J. Pedregal-Tercero, 2013. "The Speed Limits Debate: Is Effective A Temporary Change? The Case Of Spain," ERSA conference papers ersa13p160, European Regional Science Association.
    6. Pavel A. Yakovlev & Margaret Inden, 2010. "Mind the Weather: A Panel Data Analysis of Time-Invariant Factors and Traffic Fatalities," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 30(4), pages 2685-2696.
    7. Pavel A. Yakovlev & Christina M. Orr-Magulick, 2018. "On the road again: traffic fatalities and auto insurance minimums," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 42(1), pages 45-65.
    8. Castillo-Manzano, José I. & Castro-Nuño, Mercedes & Pedregal-Tercero, Diego J., 2014. "Temporary speed limit changes: An econometric estimation of the effects of the Spanish Energy Efficiency and Saving Plan," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 44(S1), pages 68-76.
    9. Anthony R. Mawson & E. Kenneth Walley, 2014. "Toward an Effective Long-Term Strategy for Preventing Motor Vehicle Crashes and Injuries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Albalate, Daniel & Bel, Germà, 2012. "Speed limit laws in America: The role of geography, mobility and ideology," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 337-347.
    11. Gilpin, Gregory, 2019. "Teen driver licensure provisions, licensing, and vehicular fatalities," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 54-70.
    12. Musabbir, Sarder Rafee & Zhang, Michael PhD, 2020. "Assessing the Safety Implication of Alternative Speed Limits in California," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt8h09c504, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.

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