The interstate speed limit increase from 65 to 70 mph, scheduled for Friday, is not expected to have much impact on Story County.

Legislation behind the change was passed to bring rural Iowa interstate speed limits in-line with those in surrounding states. The speed limit is at least 70 mph in Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri and 65 mph in Wisconsin and Illinois, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Interstate 35 is the only road in Story County affected by the change.

“I think overall, speeds will increase,” said Gary Foster, chief deputy for the Story County Sheriff’s Office. “Some will increase their driving habits by 5 mph, and some will continue to try to stay close to the limit.”

He said he does not expect to see fewer speeders as a result of the new law. Interstate 35 is patrolled by the Iowa State Patrol and the Story County Sheriff’s Office.

Ames Police Department Sgt. Brian Braymen said the Ames Police Department goes to Interstate 35 for emergencies, and don’t regularly patrol it.

He said the highway is sometimes patrolled by Ames Police when “enhanced enforcement programs” are in effect, although nothing is planned for the Fourth of July weekend.

Strict enforcement of the new speed limit is planned by the Iowa State Patrol. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack has directed the agency to step up traffic enforcement.

“We are going to direct the Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce whatever the speed limit is,” Vilsack said to media in Des Moines on April 19 after approving legislation to raise the speed limit.

Dennis Kroeger, transportation research specialist for ISU’s Center for Transportation Research and Education, said the change should have little effect on driving habits.

“On the rural interstates, going from 65 to 70, generally it’s going to have a minimal impact,” he said. “Most people drive at the speed they are comfortable with anyway.”

Kroeger added that 70 mph is a speed many drivers are comfortable with.

“I guess I’ll drive a little bit faster,” said Erin Dunn, junior in interior design.

She said people often drive 5 mph over the limit, regardless of what the limit is.

Kroeger said the change should not increase accident rates, as speed is only a contributing factor in many accidents, with driver inattention, intoxication or traffic moving at different speeds being the primary cause.

“Most accidents that do occur in rural areas are on rural two lanes and not the interstates,” he said. “The interstates are wide open and designed for high speeds.”

Kroeger said he expected to see an initial increase in ticketing.

“There is going to be a big presence over the weekend when this initially goes in,” he said.