Editing Speed limit (section)

===Roads without speed limits===
Just over half of the [[German Autobahnen|German autobahns]] have only an advisory speed limit (a ''[[Richtgeschwindigkeit]]''), 15% have temporary speed limits due to weather or traffic conditions, and 33% have permanent speed limits, according to 2008 estimates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etsc.eu/documents/Speed_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf|title=SPEED Fact Sheet. German Autobahn: The Speed Limit Debate|publisher=European Transport Safety Council|date=February 2008|quote=Currently, 52% of the German motorways do not have a speed limit, 15% have temporary speed limits due to weather or traffic conditions, and 33% have permanent speed limits. On unlimited sections, there is a 130 km/h recommendation.|access-date=2010-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106022926/http://www.etsc.eu/documents/Speed_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf|archive-date=2011-01-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> The advisory speed limit applies to any road in Germany outside of towns which is either a dual carriageway or features at least two lanes per direction, regardless of its classification (e.g. Autobahn, Federal Highway, State Road, etc.), unless there is a speed limit posted, although it is less common for non-autobahn roads to be unrestricted. All other roads in Germany outside of towns, regardless of classification, do have a general speed limit of {{cvt|100|kph}}, which is usually reduced to {{cvt|80|kph}} at Allée-streets (roads bordered by trees or bushes on one or both sites).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__3.html|title=§ 3 StVO: Speed|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|quote=Diese Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung gilt nicht [...] auf anderen Straßen mit Fahrbahnen für eine Richtung, die durch Mittelstreifen oder sonstige bauliche Einrichtungen getrennt sind. Sie gilt ferner nicht auf Straßen, die mindestens zwei durch Fahrstreifenbegrenzung (Zeichen 295) oder durch Leitlinien (Zeichen 340) markierte Fahrstreifen für jede Richtung haben.|access-date=2014-04-29}}</ref> Travel speeds are not regularly monitored in Germany; however, a 2008 report noted that on the autobahn in [[Niemegk]] (between Leipzig and Berlin) "significantly more than 60% of road users exceed {{cvt|130|kph}} [and] more than 30% of motorists exceed {{cvt|150|kph}}".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gera.de/fm/sixcms/193/09-04-30%20Gera%20LAP%20-%20Bericht.75277.pdf|trans-title=Noise Action Plan of Gera 2008|title=Lärmaktionsplan 2008 der Stadt Gera|quote=Die Berechnung basiert dabei auf der in Deutschland gültigen Richtgeschwindigkeit von 130 km/h. Die real gefahrene Geschwindigkeit auf "freigegebenen" Autobahnabschnitten liegt jedoch deutlich höher, wie das in Abb. 54 dargestellte Beispiel von der [[Bundesautobahn 9|A9]] im Bereich [[Niemegk]] zeigt. Die V85 liegt teilweise bei über 170 km/h. Im Schnitt fahren deutlich über 60 % der Verkehrsteilnehmer schneller als 130 km/h. Mehr als 30 % der Verkehrsteilnehmer fahren im Schnitt schneller als 150 km/h<br /> (English translation) Calculations are based on the German recommended a speed of 130 km/h. Actual driving speeds on motorway sections is much higher, as shown in Figure 54, for example, the [[Bundesautobahn 9|A9]] in [[Niemegk]]. The V85 [85th percentile speed] exceeds 170 km/h. On average, significantly more than 60% of road users exceed 130 km/h. More than 30% of motorists exceed 150 km/h.}}</ref> Measurements from the state of [[Brandenburg]] in 2006 showed average speeds of {{cvt|142|kph}} on a 6-lane section of autobahn in free-flowing conditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.brandenburg.de/cms/media.php/lbm1.a.2239.de/studie_tempolimit.pdf|title=Auswirkungen eines allgemeinen Tempolimits auf Autobahnen im Land Brandenburg|date=October 2007|publisher=[[Brandenburg]]|access-date=2010-12-04|quote=(German)Auf einer 6-streifigen Autobahn ergibt sich für den Pkw-Verkehr im Mittel eine Geschwindigkeit von 142 km/h. (English)On clear stretches of 6-lane highway, cars average a speed of 142 km/h|archive-date=2012-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907215341/http://www.mil.brandenburg.de/cms/media.php/lbm1.a.2239.de/studie_tempolimit.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Prior to [[German reunification]] in 1990, accident reduction programs in [[New states of Germany|eastern German states]] were primarily focused on restrictive traffic regulation. Within two years of reunification, the availability of high-powered vehicles and a 54% increase in motorized traffic led to a doubling of annual traffic deaths,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/06/990616165539.htm|title=East German Traffic Deaths Jumped Dramatically After Reunification; Researchers Cite Rapid Increase In Young, Unskilled Drivers|website=ScienceDaily}}</ref> despite "interim arrangements [which] involved the continuation of the speed limit of {{cvt|100|kph}} on autobahns and of {{cvt|80|kph}} outside cities". An extensive program of the four ''E''s (enforcement, education, engineering, and [[Emergency medical services|emergency response]]) brought the number of traffic deaths back to pre-unification levels after a decade of effort, while traffic regulations were conformed to western standards (e.g., {{cvt|130|kph}} freeway advisory limit, {{cvt|100|kph}} on other rural roads).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giz.de/expertise/downloads/Fachexpertise/giz2006-en-traffic-safety-reunification.pdf|title=Traffic Safety - The German Experience after Reunification|publisher=[[Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit|German Society for Technical Cooperation]]|date=2004-11-06|access-date=2009-09-17|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022657/http://www.giz.de/expertise/downloads/Fachexpertise/giz2006-en-traffic-safety-reunification.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Transport in the Isle of Man#Roads|Many rural roads on the Isle of Man]] have no speed limits;<ref name="iomguide" /> a 2004 proposal to introduce general speed limits of {{cvt|60|mph}} and {{cvt|70|mph}} on [[A18 road (Isle of Man)|Mountain Road]], for safety reasons, was not pursued following consultation.<ref name="iomguide">{{cite web|url=http://www.iomguide.com/news/general-news.php?story=697|title=No All-Island Speed Limit|publisher=Isle of Man Guide|date=2004-11-06|access-date=2009-09-17}}</ref> [[Transport on the Isle of Man#Roads|Measured travel speeds on the island]] are relatively low.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transport Implications of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan: Report|publisher=JMP Consulting|date=2007-04-27|url=http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/transport/planning/publications/transportimplicationsofthestrate.pdf|access-date=2010-09-26|archive-date=2011-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125021508/http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/transport/planning/publications/transportimplicationsofthestrate.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Indian states of [[Andhra Pradesh]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aptransport.org/html/acts-rules/the_table_of_maximum_speed_limit_at_a_glance.pdf|title=The Table of Maximum Speed Limits at a Glance}}</ref> [[Maharashtra]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahatranscom.in/faq.aspx|title=Data|access-date=2020-12-29}}</ref> and [[Telangana]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transport.telangana.gov.in/|title=TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA - INDIA|website=www.transport.telangana.gov.in}}</ref> also do not have speed limits by default.

==== Roads formerly without speed limits ====
Many roads without a maximum limit became permanently limited following the [[1973 oil crisis]]. For example, [[Switzerland]] and [[Austria]] had no maximum restriction prior to 1973 on motorways and rural roads, but imposed a temporary {{cvt|100|kph}} maximum limit in response to higher fuel prices; the limit on motorways was increased to {{cvt|130|kph}} later in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astra.admin.ch/dokumentation/00119/00214/index.html?lang=en&download=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDeX94hGym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A--|title=The duties of the Swiss Federal Roads Office - ASTRA - Bundesamt|quote=Outside of built-up areas: Prior to 1973: no restriction 1973: 100 km/h (provisional) 1977: 100 km/h (definitive) 1985: 80 km/h (trial) 1989: 80 km/h (definitive), national referendum on 26 November 1989 Motorways: Prior to 1973: no restriction 1973: 100 km/h (temporary), due to oil crisis 1974: 130 km/h (provisional) 1977: 130 km/h (definitive) 1985: 120 km/h (trial) 1989: 120 km/h (definitive), national referendum on 26 November 1989|year=2009|access-date=2010-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706221556/http://www.astra.admin.ch/dokumentation/00119/00214/index.html?lang=en&download=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDeX94hGym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A--|archive-date=2011-07-06|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oesv1.orf.at/stories/358361|title=Seit 35 Jahren Tempolimit auf Autobahnen - oesterreich.ORF.at|website=oesv1.orf.at}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oeamtc.at/?id=2500%2C1136024%2C%2C|title=Willkommen &#124; ÖAMTC|date=2023-12-04}}</ref>
[[File:MONTANA-PR.svg|thumb|Typical speed limit sign that one would see at the Montana state line from December 1995 to June 1999]]
[[Montana]] and [[Nevada]] were the last remaining U.S. states relying exclusively on the basic rule, without a specific, numeric rural speed limit before the [[National Maximum Speed Law]] of 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1812&context=jtrp|title=The Development of a Speed Monitoring Program for Indiana (FHWA/IN/JTRP-98/19)|author=Darren L. Jorgenson|author2=Kumares C. Sinha <!--(Joint Transportation Research Program, Purdue University)-->|date=April 2000|access-date=2010-09-26|publisher=[[Indiana Department of Transportation]]|quote=CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION : 1.1 Background Information "Before 1974, Interstate highways through various states had different speed limits, except Montana and Nevada, which had none."}}</ref> After the repeal of federal speed mandates in December 1995, Montana was the only state to revert to the basic rule for daylight rural speed regulation. The [[Montana Supreme Court]] ruled that the basic rule was too vague to allow citation, prosecution, and conviction of a driver; concluding enforcement was a violation of the [[due process]] requirement of the [[Montana Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/courts/Montana|title=FindLaw's MT case and opinions|website=Findlaw}}</ref> In response, Montana's legislature imposed a {{cvt|75|mph}} limit on rural freeways in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|date=1999-05-28|title=Sky no longer the limit on 'Montanabahn'|url=https://www.deseret.com/1999/5/28/19447938/sky-no-longer-the-limit-on-montanabahn|access-date=2022-04-18|website=Deseret News}}</ref>

Australia's [[Northern Territory]] had no rural speed limit until 2007, and again from 2014 to 2016. Sections of the Stuart Highway had no limits as part of an [[Speed limits in Australia#NT open speed limits|open speed limit trial]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The need for speed on Stuart Highway|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)|date=2013-10-15|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/10/15/3869390.htm|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref>