The article traces the history of speed limits starting with New Amsterdam's 1652 regulation. It highlights early awareness of speed's dangers in urban settings. Subsequent developments, including James Watt's low-tech automatic regulator and the introduction of speed governors in cars, illustrate a continuous struggle between safety and the automobile industry's resistance to limitations. A failed 1923 proposal in Cincinnati exemplifies how lobbying and market interests have historically impinged on public safety measures. Today, discussions around speed regulation remain fraught with similar tensions between prioritizing safety versus consumer freedom and automotive marketing.
In 1652, New Amsterdam passed what may be North America's first speed limit, reflecting early recognition of the dangers of speed in dense urban environments.
The auto industry has historically resisted speed regulation, prioritizing sales and driver freedom over safety, as seen in failed proposals like Cincinnati's in 1923.
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