(Area) While COVID-10 continues to limit traffic, nationally and in Iowa, the open roadways are providing some motorists with the opportunity drive faster.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, a pattern of dangerously high speeds on Iowa roadways is a disturbing and hazardous traffic trend that emerged during the pandemic-speeds that can lead to disastrous consequences as the volume of traffic is expected to gradually increase with summer vacation trips and more people returning to the workplace.
Recent data released from the Iowa State Patrol shows a 65-percent increase in speeds at or above 25 miles per hour over the speed limit compared to the four-year average. Citations for these speeds in the months of April and May alone totaled 912 compared to 764 violations for the three previous months combined. Records indicate speeding violations from January 1 through June 10, 2020, shows 1,635 drivers who exceeded the speed limit by 25-miles per hour.
Across the state there is an alarming pattern showing nearly one-third of the violations during that time period were for speeds over 100 miles per hour. These speeds have increased 84-percent compared to the four-year average. Troopers routinely clocked speeds as high as 121-147 miles per hour on less traveled highways. More drivers are attempting to elude authorities by an increase of 57-percent over the same time period compared to the four-year average.
According to ISP data, the most common speeding violators are a younger demographic consisting of males between the ages of 14 and 29-years of age.
The Iowa State Patrol says 65-percent of the speeding drivers are from out-of-state.
The Iowa State Patrol along with the Iowa, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Governors Traffic Safety Bureau, and the Iowa Department of Transportation are collaborating on tactics to the issue and encourages personal responsibility in keeping Iowa roadways safe.
