Capitol Report

State Representative Danny Carroll

2-24-05

A bill  to increase the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph on interstate highways passed out of a subcommittee this week.

The full committee will also consider two amendments that increase fines for speeding tickets.  The first amendment increases the court cost fee charged for all misdemeanors from $17 to $30.  This fee applies to tickets for offenses such as speeding, public intoxication, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, harassment, and using fireworks.  The new fees will add an estimated revenue increase of $8.1 million to the general fund.

The second amendment will increase the speeding fines for all roads where the speed limit is greater than 55 mph.  The speed limit fines will increase as follows:

The subcommittee focused on current crash statistics and studied the history of the speed limit in Iowa.  The statistics show that the number one cause for crashes on interstates is animals.  The number two cause is swerving/evasive action.  The number three cause is driving too fast for conditions. 

The subcommittee also considered a revised 1992 and 1993 University of California study.  The study found that the statewide fatality rate was 3.6% lower in states that raised interstate speed limits to 65 mph.

A Louisiana State University study considered an analysis of the impact of increased speed limits on interstates and on highways in Louisiana.  In August 1997, Louisiana raised rural interstates speed limits from 65 mph to 70 mph.  All other speed limits stayed the same.  This study found that fatal crashes on rural interstates increased by 37% while fatal crashes on all roadways increased by less than 1%.  Younger and older drivers had more crashes after speed limits had increased.

The subcommittee discovered that over a three-year time period, the average speed on Iowa’s, Minnesota’s, and Missouri’s interstates was 71 mph even though Minnesota and Missouri have a speed limit of 70 mph.  The subcommittee  reviewed a number of other studies which the full committee will also evaluate.

I have generally been opposed to increasing the speed limit.  It seems that people drive 5-10 mph over the limit no matter what is set.

You can reach me at home most evenings and weekends at 641-236-7043.  My home address is 244 400^th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.  While at the Capitol, you can reach me at the House of Representatives switchboard at 515-281-3221 or by E-mail at danny.carroll@legis.state.ia.us .  My mailing address at the Capitol is House of Representatives, State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.