On this day in 1901 Connecticut became the first state in the United States to pass a speed limit law strictly for motor vehicles. The law stated that on city streets automobiles could travel no faster than 12 miles per hour and on country roads the speed limit was set at 15 miles per hour.
Speed limits in the United States had been passed into law as early as 1652 for animal drawn wagons. The colony of New Amsterdam, which is now New York, had a regiment that stated, “[N]o wagons, carts or sleighs shall be run, rode or driven at a gallop.” Drivers who disobeyed this law could be fined “two pounds Flemish,” about $150 in today’s currency.
The best way to support This Day in Automotive History is to become a monthly subscriber on Facebook.
Subscriber benefits include:
- Most importantly, you’re supporting great content about Automotive History
- Early access to content on Facebook
- Discounts on our store
- Special live videos
If you learned something today, please buy me a beer!
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE


December 22, 1937 – The Lincoln Tunnel opens
December 22, 2024

Top 5 Craigslist Cars – Week of May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
Dusty & Rusty – 1966 Chevy Corvair
June 7, 2020

December 8, 1956 – The Ford Ranchero Makes Debut
December 8, 2024
RECENT POSTS

February 24, 1973 – AMC Levi edition cars debut
February 24, 2026

6 Running PreWar Cars for Sale Under $10,000! + bonus barn find
February 23, 2026

February 23, 1963 – The Chrysler 426 Hemi debuts on the track
February 23, 2026

February 22, 1959 – The first Daytona 500
February 22, 2026

February 21, 1937 – First successful flight of a flying car
February 21, 2026
This Day in Automotive History - the book!
This Day In Automotive History
By Brian Corey
This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations.
This Day in Automotive History
This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
Related Posts

February 24, 1973 – AMC Levi edition cars debut
February 24, 2026

6 Running PreWar Cars for Sale Under $10,000! + bonus barn find
February 23, 2026

February 23, 1963 – The Chrysler 426 Hemi debuts on the track
February 23, 2026

February 22, 1959 – The first Daytona 500
February 22, 2026
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.