In response to the pressing concerns of the 1973 oil crisis and the subsequent OPEC oil embargo, President Richard Nixon signed a significant piece of legislation that mandated a maximum speed limit of 55 mph on all U.S. highways. This new speed limit was part of a broader effort to address the energy shortages that were gripping the nation, as rising fuel prices and supply disruptions began to have profound effects on American life and the economy. The signing took place in Washington, D.C., and it marked a pivotal moment in the government's response to an international energy crisis.

The legislation aimed to promote fuel efficiency in vehicles, encouraging drivers to reduce their speed and, consequently, their gasoline consumption. At the time, the average fuel economy of automobiles in the U.S. was notably lower than in subsequent decades, which made the fuel conservation efforts even more critical. The new law prompted widespread public discussion and even dissent as many Americans were accustomed to driving faster, leading to debates over personal freedom versus societal responsibility.

Alongside the 55 mph speed limit, Nixon called for a variety of energy conservation measures, including improved public transportation and a focus on alternative energy sources. The speed limit was later enforced with signs and penalties, and although it was initially met with resistance, the law became a staple of American road travel until its eventual repeal in the 1990s, when fuel prices stabilized, and fuel-efficient cars became more common.