The Nation : Reagan for Higher Speed

The campaign to relax the frequently ignored 55-m.p.h. national speed limit has picked up momentum from President Reagan, a longtime foe of federal infringement on states’ rights. After a recent meeting with Reagan, Sen. Steven D. Symms (R-Ida.), strong advocate of relaxing the speed limit, said: “We got more than we expected.” The President, he said, “believes we should return to the pre-1974 law allowing state and local governments to set their own speed limits.” States cannot set limits higher than 55 without risking loss of U.S. highway money.