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New Amsterdam (now New York City) enacts first speed limit law in North America

Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road.

Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road. Speed limits are generally indicated on a traffic sign reflecting the maximum permitted speed, expressed as kilometres per hour (km h) limit introduced in the United Kingdom in 1861.

Speed limits are frequently introduced for health reasons with a goal to improve road traffic safety and reduce the number of casualties from traffic collisions. There is a relationship between speed and health impacts, whereby it has been posited that a 5% increase in speed is linked to a 10% increase in injury, and a 20% increase in deaths. Speed limits tend to be stricter in areas with more pedestrians, in particular those frequented by children.

Historical Significance

Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road.

Events Before

  1. French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin flees Paris

    French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin flees Paris

  2. Flemish missionary Joris van Geel departs for the Congo [1]

    Flemish missionary Joris van Geel departs for the Congo [1]

  3. South Sea dike in Amsterdam breaks after storm

    South Sea dike in Amsterdam breaks after storm

  4. Great earthquake at Cuzco, Peru

    Great earthquake at Cuzco, Peru

  5. Battle of Beresteczko between Poles and Ukrainians starts

    The Battle of Berestechko (28 June – 10 July 1651) was fought between the Cossack Hetmanate and Crimean Khanate against the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as a part of the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

Events After

  1. New Amsterdam becomes a city, later renamed New York City

    New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States.

  2. Dutch painter Jan Vermeer marries Catharina Bolenes in Schipluiden

    Dutch painter Jan Vermeer marries Catharina Bolenes in Schipluiden

  3. Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland

    Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history.

  4. The Coonan Cross Oath is taken in the Saint Thomas Christian community in an effort to avoid submission to Portuguese ru

    The Coonan Cross Oath is taken in the Saint Thomas Christian community in an effort to avoid submission to Portuguese rule in India

  5. French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin returns to Paris from exile

    French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin returns to Paris from exile

More from the 1650s

Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in

Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands

New Amsterdam becomes a city, later renamed New York City

New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States.

First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey

First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey

Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker

Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 27, 1652?
Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road. Speed limits are generally indicated on a traffic sign reflecting the maximum permitted speed, expressed as kilometres per hour (km h) limit introduced in the United Kingdom in 1861. Speed limits are frequently introduced for health reasons with a goal to improve road traffic safety and reduce the number of casualties from traffic collisions.
Why is New Amsterdam (now New York City) enacts first speed limit law in North America significant?
Speed limits on road traffic, as used in most countries, set the legal maximum speed at which vehicles may travel on a given stretch of road.

Explore More

June 27 in HistoryYear 1652