(Denison) Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District 4 Public Information Officer Shelby McCreedy says excessive speeding violations have steadily increased since 2020.
McCreedy says the COVID-19 pandemic played a major role, as fewer vehicles on the road and fewer destinations led some drivers to travel at much higher speeds.
In the years following the pandemic, triple-digit speeding became a widespread issue. McCreedy says even though traffic levels have returned to normal, some drivers continue to travel at extremely high speeds.
In 2025 alone, the Iowa State Patrol issued 947 citations to drivers traveling more than 100 miles per hour. The highest recorded speed was 151 miles per hour, with monthly top speeds ranging from 129 to 151 miles per hour.
McCreedy says many drivers believe staying near the speed limit will help them avoid a ticket, but she stresses the importance of understanding how speed contributes to serious injuries and fatal crashes. She explains that force causes vehicle damage and injuries, and speed greatly increases that force during a crash.
In 2024, the Iowa State Patrol issued more than 1,000 citations for drivers traveling 100 miles per hour or more.
The 2026 legislative session begins today, and one proposed bill aims to improve roadway safety. Under Iowa law, excessive speed is defined as traveling 21 miles per hour or more over the posted limit. The bill would increase the fine for excessive speeding from $131 to $285, with an additional five dollars for each mile per hour over the limit.
The proposal also includes lowering speed limits in school zones as part of a broader effort to make Iowa roadways safer.
