In 1994, I bought my first “Car Craft” magazine. It had this mythical “Real Street Eliminator” feature where classic muscle cars were upgraded to go head-to-head with modern machines.

At the time, the brand-new Camaro had 275 horsepower—and that felt impressive. You know, like watching someone reverse out of a spot at Grand & Essex without a 14-point turn, hazard lights, or divine intervention.

Now? Your neighbor’s Escalade has 682 horsepower. Your Uber driver’s Tesla might outrun a Ferrari F430. Dozens of cars today break 500 horsepower without even needing a performance badge. Some—more than I want to count—are pushing 800-plus and come with heated cup holders.

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but raw power isn’t the only thing that’s changed.

But here’s the kicker: with all that horsepower came huge safety upgrades too. Airbags, yes—but those only matter after things go bad. What keeps things from going bad is the real story.

Let’s Talk Brakes, Tires, and Other “Whoa” Factors

Manual brakes used to be the norm. Then came power brakes. Then the front disc. Then a four-wheel disc. Then anti-lock. Now we’ve got computer-controlled brake force distribution that can stop a three-ton SUV faster than a Porsche 911 from 20 years ago.

Front brakes do about 70% of the stopping—drive a ‘67 Mustang with drum brakes and you’ll understand why our ancestors prayed facing Jerusalem: because stopping power wasn’t coming from Detroit.

Tires? Don’t get me started. My kid’s Power Wheels has hard plastic tires, and I still think they grip better than what came stock on most ‘60s sedans. I once drove a Corvair on dry pavement and it felt like curling with horsepower.

Modern tires are science projects: silica-infused and asymmetrical-treaded. They’re seasonally-optimized grip grenades that can turn a Camry into a canyon carver.

Horsepower Isn’t Just Higher—It’s Smarter

Engines today don’t just make more power—they do it cleaner and more efficiently. Fuel injection. Turbocharging. Hybrids that make 400 horsepower, hit 60 like a muscle car, and still average 40 mpg. Somewhere, physics is filing a complaint.

Fuel economy has doubled since the ‘70s while performance has skyrocketed. A 2024 Honda Accord has better acceleration, fuel economy, and braking than a Porsche 928 from the 1980s. That’s not opinion. That’s data.

So… Why Are We Still Driving Like It’s 1974?

The national speed limit of 55 mph? That was signed into law in 1974. It wasn’t because the cars couldn’t handle more—it was because we had a gas crisis. Think about that: we set national speed limits based on oil shortages and Ford Pintos.

Even today, many highways are capped at 65. Some stretch to 70 or 75 in the wide-open West, but in areas with newer roads, better cars, and safer everything? We’re still crawling.

This isn’t about turning every road into the Autobahn—but a logical reevaluation makes sense. Plenty of studies show that the safest speed is one where the majority of drivers are already cruising—not the artificially low one that turns everyone into a lawbreaker.

What Should the Speed Limit Be?

Let’s be reasonable. The best-performing family sedans can stop from 60 mph in under 120 feet. The average time to 60 for new cars in the U.S. is under 6.5 seconds. You’re telling me those cars can’t safely cruise at 80 on modern highways?

So if today’s cars can stop shorter, accelerate faster, and handle better than anything from the ‘70s, maybe it’s time our laws did a little catching up too.

Here’s a modest proposal:

Urban areas: 35–45 mph (already appropriate)

Suburban roads: 50–60 mph

Highways: 75 mph minimum, 85 in rural or straight sections with high visibility

And maybe—just maybe—a “left lane unlimited” zone on select roads with stringent vehicle and driver requirements. (Hey, a guy can dream.)

Conclusion: Not Advocating… Just Making Shabbos Fun

Now, I’m not saying you should go flying down Route 4 like it’s Le Mans. I’m just saying maybe our rules should catch up to reality.

Because let’s be honest—if you’re not debating traffic law over cholent, is it even Shabbos?

Eric Samson is a car enthusiast and entrepreneur. He can be reached at auto@jewishlink.news.