In November 1973, the Federal Republic of Germany introduced a national speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) on its infamous Autobahn network. This unexpected measure was a direct response to the 1973 oil crisis, which saw the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) impose an oil embargo against nations perceived as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The resulting fuel shortages and skyrocketing oil prices prompted many governments to take drastic measures. By implementing a speed limit, the German government aimed to reduce fuel consumption and manage the economic fallout from the crisis, which was affecting various sectors across the nation.The decision to impose the speed limit created significant divisions among the German public. While many understood the necessity given the severe economic conditions, there were also widespread protests from those who cherished the freedom of driving at high speeds on the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn. The speed limit remained in effect for only four months, until it was lifted in March 1974, as the immediate pressures of the oil crisis began to ease. The temporary nature of this legislation highlighted the complexities of balancing economic needs with individual liberties in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.