House adopts speed-limit increase bill despite safety objections from some members
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Summary
Senate File 378, which raises certain speed limits (including from 55 to 60 mph in parts) and adjusts penalties, passed the House after amendments; Representative Faith explained a dissenting view estimating additional annual traffic fatalities from the change.
Representative Jones brought Senate File 378 to the floor, saying the bill revises speed-limit ranges and related penalty rules. Committee amendment H8231 was deferred and a subsequent amendment (H8245) adjusted penalties to align with the proposed higher limits.
Representative Faith voiced a clear no vote in floor debate, stating that ‘‘whenever we increase speed limits on our roads, that it causes more traffic fatalities’’ and citing an estimate that raising the limit from 55 to 60 would lead to ‘‘approximately 6 more Iowans per year [dying] in a car crash.’’ Faith urged the House to weigh those consequences in deciding how to act.
After debate and the adoption of amendments, the House voted to pass Senate File 378. The clerk reported the vote as 76 ayes, 16 no, and 8 absent/not voting; the bill was declared to have passed the House.
