ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
January 2, 1974
Richard Nixon Signs Bill Decreasing Speed
Limit to 55 Due to OPEC Oil Embargo
On this day in 1974, U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a bill into law lowering the speed limit in the United
States to no more than 55 mpg.
This action was taken due to the oil embargo imposed by OAPEC (OPEC plus Syria and Egypt) on October 15th of the
previous year. The oil embargo was in response to the United States support of Israel during the Yom Kippur
War.
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