Was Connecticut the first state in the U.S. to enact a motor vehicle speed limit?

Connecticut holds the distinction of being the first state in the United States to pass a motor vehicle speed limit law. 

On May 21, 1901, the state enacted “An Act Regulating the Speed of Motor Vehicles,” setting limits of 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. Drivers were also required to slow down or even stop if they encountered horse-drawn carriages. Those who ignored the law faced fines of up to $200, a steep penalty for the era.

The law was introduced by legislator Robert J. Woodruff, who had initially proposed even stricter limits. While local jurisdictions elsewhere – like New York City – had experimented with auto speed rules, Connecticut’s statute was the first to apply statewide, making it a national pioneer in traffic regulation. Today, every state sets its own speed limits, but Connecticut led the way.