Implications of the 65-mph speed limit for traffic safety

This study evaluates the impact of the 65-mph speed limit on traffic safety . Using data for the years 1981 to 1995 for all 50 stares, a pooled time se ries analysis is conducted. Separate models are estimated for state fatalit y rates on four categories of roads: rural interstate highways, rural nonin terstate roads, all roads except for rural interstate highways, and all roa ds. It is reported that the 65-mph speed limit increased fatality rates on rural interstate highways but was correlated with a reduction in state fata lity rates on the three other categories of roads.