<P> One of the first speed limits in what would become the United States (at the time, still a British colony) was set in Boston in 1701 by the board of selectmen (similar to a city council): </P> <P> Ordered, That no person whatsoever Shall at any time hereafter ride or drive a gallop or other extream pace within any of the Streets, lanes, or alleys in this Town on penalty of forfeiting three Shillings for every such offence, and it may be lawfull for any of the Inhabitants of this Town to make Stop of such horse or Rider untill the name of the offender be known in order to prosecution </P> <P> In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Congress enacted the National Maximum Speed Law that created the universal 55 miles per hour (89 km / h) speed limit . Whether this reduced gasoline consumption is debated and the impact on safety is unclear; studies and opinions of safety advocates are mixed . </P> <P> The law was widely disregarded by motorists, even after the national maximum was increased to 65 miles per hour (105 km / h) on certain roads in 1987 and 1988 . In 1995, the law was repealed, returning the choice of speed limit to each state . </P>

Why and how did we once have a national speed limit
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