During 1999, excessive speed or driving too fast for conditions was cited as a contributing factor in 47 of Iowa's 425 fatal crashes. Nationally, speed ranks second to alcohol as a contributing factor in fatal crashes.
Speed also plays a part in a number of serious injury crashes.
In 1999, for example, over 200 persons suffered serious injuries in speed-related crashes. During 1996, speed limits were increased from 55 to 65 on 252 miles of rural 4-lane primary highway in Iowa. Since repeal of the National Maximum speed limit, a total of 34 states have raised their speed limits. When traveling at 65 miles per hour, total stopping distance is 272 feet. This page maintained by Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau .