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What is the fastest speed limit in the United States?
The highest speed limit in the United States is 85 mph, which is posted on a 41-mile stretch of the State Highway 130 toll road in Texas.
Prior to 1995, there was no federal speed limit in the U.S., allowing states to set their own limits.
This changed with the repeal of the National Maximum Speed Limit.
Montana briefly had no daytime speed limit on its rural interstates in the mid-1990s, earning it the nickname "the last best place" for speeders, until the limit was reinstated in 1999.
The Audubon Tunnel in South Dakota has a posted speed limit of 80 mph, one of the highest non-toll road limits in the country.
Many modern vehicles, especially high-performance models, are capable of exceeding 135 mph, but manufacturers often electronically limit the top speed to comply with regulations.
The autobahn in Germany is famous for having no universal speed limit, but there are recommended speed limits of 130 km/h (81 mph) on many sections.
The Bugatti Chiron, one of the world's fastest production cars, has an electronically limited top speed of 261 mph, though it is theoretically capable of reaching over 300 mph.
The physics of high-speed driving become increasingly challenging, as vehicles become more unstable and difficult to control at extreme speeds.
Fuel efficiency and emissions are important factors in setting speed limits, as higher speeds result in increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Raising speed limits can have significant impacts on traffic fatality rates, as the risk of severe injury or death increases exponentially with speed.
The highest speed ever officially recorded on a public road in the U.S.
was 254 mph, achieved by a modified Shelby Cobra on a closed section of Ohio's Route 20.
Many states have "reasonable and prudent" speed laws that allow drivers to exceed posted limits if conditions are safe, though enforcement can be subjective.
The idea of a national speed limit was first introduced in the 1970s during the oil crisis, as a measure to conserve fuel and improve energy efficiency.
Automated speed enforcement, such as radar and laser-based systems, have become increasingly common in many states to help enforce speed limits and improve safety.
High-performance tires, brakes, and suspension systems are critical for maintaining control and stability at extreme speeds, requiring specialized engineering and design.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, known as the "Green Hell," has no universal speed limit and is a popular destination for enthusiasts to test the limits of their vehicles.
The Concorde supersonic passenger jet had a cruising speed of over 1,300 mph, far exceeding any speed limit on Earth, but was limited by noise and environmental regulations.
The top speed of many modern fighter jets exceeds 1,500 mph, well beyond the capabilities of any production road vehicle, due to the specialized aerodynamics and propulsion systems.
The Bloodhound SSC, a British land speed record car, is designed to reach speeds up to 1,000 mph, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the ground.
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