Sunday 15th December 1974

In an initiative to reduce energy consumption, the national speed limits in Britain for single-carriageway and dual-carriageway roads were temporarily reduced to 50 mph and 60 mph (from 60 mph and 70 mph) respectively. Motorway speed limits were left unchanged at 70 mph. Anyone breaking the new restrictions was reported, though not necessarily summoned. The maximum penalty for speeding was doubled to £100.