Finally, they’ve gotten a clue and figured out that Iowans want to drive faster on the interstate without fear of seeing those flashing cherries in the rearview mirror.

The Iowa House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill that would raise the speed limit in Iowa to 70 mph on interstate highways.

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee voted to increase the speed limit. Many expect the bill to pass in the House; however, its prospects in the Senate are still unclear.

Arguably so, there are those who oppose the bill for fear of increased traffic fatalities.

Rep. Dick Weidman, R-Griswold, and a retired state trooper, voted against the speed increase. Weidman argues increasing the speed limit increases the number of fatalities on the highways.

His argument has merit. According to the task force committee which compared data for an eight-month period in 1995 and 1996, the number of traffic-related deaths increased 10 percent in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota when those states raised their speed limits.

So why support a bill that will undoubtedly result in the deaths of more Iowans?

It’s not just the need for increased speed — granted we really, really like the concept. But let’s look at this issue on a deeper level. Let’s really ask ourselves if increasing the speed limit by 5 mph is really going to be the cause of increased traffic fatalities.

The speed limit could be 75 mph or 35 mph, and it’s not going to matter one bit if people continue to drive recklessly and not watch out for the other drivers.

A reduction in traffic fatalities should not be linked to the speed limit. Drivers should be careful to understand their own limits on the highways and adhere to those limits. People need to drive responsibly, no matter what the limit is.