1975: Speed limits become a hot-button issue

by Marc Sanchez, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Today some rural Minnesota highways have a speed limit of 70 mph.

That number has climbed considerably since 1974, when the federal government mandated a nationwide 55 mph speed limit.

This 1975 report by MPR's Rachel Kranz highlights some of the hot button issues of the time: energy, safety and economy.

Congress eased up on the 55 mph limit in 1987, bringing it to 65 mph on some roads. It wasn't until 1995, however, that the law was fully repealed, and speed limit jurisdiction was given back to the states.