Interstate Crash Deaths Rose in Iowa, Records Say

State records suggest higher interstate speeds have proved fatal for more Iowa motorists.

The Des Moines Register reports that rural interstate fatalities are up about 10 percent since the speed limit was raised to 70 mph from 65 mph.

Iowa records show 250 people were fatally injured on the rural interstate system between July 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2011. The figure was 227 fatalities for the 61/2 years before the limit was raised.

Traffic deaths on other Iowa highways and roads dropped last year to the lowest level since World War II.

Russ Rader with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says “the bottom line is that when speed limits go up, deaths go up. When speed limits go down, deaths go down.”

Latest Comments

• September 6, 2012 at 10:50 am

  Duke Ganote says:

  Deaths on Iowa's rural interstates vary widely even year-to-year: Iowa had 38 and 27 fatalities in 2003 and 2004 (state-wide counts were 441 and 390). Safety features like wid... read more
• September 6, 2012 at 8:19 am

  SusieQinthe Midwest says:

  I hate it when death tolls rise to a "large" number. Everyone makes a huge deal out of it with out getting stats! Ugh.
• September 5, 2012 at 3:51 pm

  Russ Howard says:

  And, as the other two commentors have said, their statistical analysis is not scientifically tested. Less deaths on roads in IA not traveled as much tells me those drivers mov... read more