Legislation lowering the state’s speed limit to 55 miles an hour cleared its final legislative hurdle today and was sent to Gov. Robert D. Ray for his signature. … The bill will remain in effect until July 1, 1975, or until the President determines there is no longer an energy crisis. — UPI in Ames Tribune, 2/6/74
The top half of the Feb. 28, 1974, issue of the Grundy Register had two photos that said it all: a hand-written “Out of Gas” sign from a station in Grundy Center, and Iowa Highway Commission workers putting a panel over a double sign on IA 14 that changed “Speed Limit 70 / Trucks 55” to “Speed Limit 55.”
Seventy. On two-lane roads. With cars the size of boats. Yikes.
Meanwhile, 52 years later, now we have a speed limit of 60 on two-lane roads but 65 on many miles of four-lane roads including controlled-access freeways. Any chance this can get fixed next session?