More than 500 citations issued by ISP to drivers going over 100 mph

The Iowa State Patrol has written more than 500 citations this year to drivers who were going 100 miles per hour or faster.

The number of drivers being cited for 100 miles per hour has been on the increase since 2013. That year the total number of citations for drivers was 342.

"I had one at about 119 miles per hour. It was probably just over a year ago. Going westbound on 80 just west of 280. It was a younger driver from Illinois going through Iowa for a visit," Iowa State Patrol Trooper Dan Loussaert tells KWQC-TV 6.

There are costs and dangers to going this fast. If you are caught going 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, it could result in a loss of you license. If you are cited for 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, Trooper Loussaert says you will lose your license. In both instances, you will also be issued a fine, which could be $300 or more.

"Unfortunately it showed up in our traffic fatalities too. A lot of states the number one cause of traffic fatalities is impaired drivers. In Iowa it's excessive speed,” Trooper Loussaert says.

Especially this time of year he says it's important to follow posted speed limits.

"The days are shorter. We have a couple big holidays coming up. So the traffic is going to be a little heavier. Then on top of it, some days it’s 50 degrees and other days it's ten degrees and you have that rain or sleet or snow or freezing fog on the road,”

While nobody is perfect, Trooper Loussaert tells KWQC-TV 6 there’s no excuse for driving that fast.

"Speed is more often a choice. I can see accidently going ten miles over the speed limit by not paying attention and there's not a lot of traffic. You don't accidently just run over 100 miles an hour. No matter what kind of roadway you're on or no matter what kind of vehicle you're driving,”


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