July 1, 2005

For more information contact:
Dena Gray-Fisher
dena.grayfisher@dot.iowa.gov
515-239-1922

Iowa interstate speed limits go to 70 miles per hour

AMES , Iowa - Travelers on Iowa 's interstates will be able to legally travel 70 miles per hour (mph) starting today as signs are posted. On April 19, 2005, Governor Tom Vilsack signed House File 826 raising the maximum interstate speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph, and increasing the related fines and court costs.

Although the new law raises the speed limit on some sections of the interstate system, not every mile of Iowa interstate will be posted at 70 mph. After the legislation was signed into law, the Department of Transportation (DOT), in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), developed a statewide plan that identified those areas where the interstate speed limit should remain lower than 70 mph due to safety concerns. Governor Vilsack subsequently reviewed and approved the plan to go into effect today.

These locations include areas near major urban centers where operational and safety concerns exist due to high traffic volumes, closely spaced interchanges, many vehicles entering/exiting the interstate and an increase in competition for drivers attention; and the areas of the interstate that were previously posted at speed limits lower than 65 mph.

The new 70 mph speed limit applies only to the interstate highways. To prepare for the change in the speed limit, the Iowa DOT's Sign Shop produced 350 “70” overlays for existing “65” speed limit signs and 115 new transitional speed limit signs gradually reducing or increasing the speed limits when necessary. DOT maintenance crews are currently installing the new signs. The speed limit on other fully controlled-access, multi-lane, divided highways remains 65 mph.

When signing the maximum speed limit law, Governor Vilsack directed the Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce the speed limit so motorists should closely monitor their speeds.

Col. Robert Garrison, commander of the Iowa State Patrol reminds drivers to “Trim it to the limit,” whatever that speed limit might be. “Speed is the third leading cause of motor vehicle fatalities and injuries in vehicle crashes. Especially now with the upcoming July 4 holiday and change in Iowa's interstate speed limits, troopers will be more diligent than ever at patrolling areas where speed limits reduce from 70 miles per hour to lower speeds on primary and secondary roads adjacent to the interstate. As always we'll also be looking for motorists who aren't buckled up and who may be exceeding the speed limit on any roadway.”

For more information including a list of speed limits in surrounding states, maps of Iowa 's new speed limit changes and details of increased fines and court costs, visit the DOT's Web site at www.dot.state.ia.us .

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