Ames’ top two law enforcement officials disagree over proposed federal legislation that would give states the power to set their own speed limits.

Loras Jaeger, director of Iowa State’s Department of Public Safety, opposes increasing speed limits. He said he anticipates more fatalities if limits are raised. “People tend to drive faster than the posted speed limit, and they still will if the limit is raised,” Jaeger said.

Regardless, Jaeger said he anticipates a push in the Iowa Legislature for higher speed limits, something Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine supports.

Ballantine said he favors an increase in some speed limits. “People are driving faster than the posted limit now and getting away with it,” he said.

The current speed limit appears to be only a “guide,” according to Ballantine. “Now we have a speed limit at 65 [mph on interstates], but there seems to be a gray area where officers just sort of wink and nod at speeders up to about 75 mph,” Ballantine said. “We need to set reasonable speed limits and enforce them.”

Jaeger said he doesn’t like the idea of young drivers traveling at higher speeds.

“Many accidents involve younger drivers,” Jaeger said, citing statistics that show a higher percentage of accidents among drivers ages 16 to 25. “I don’t like the idea of letting those inexperienced people drive at speeds of 75 mph.”

Ballantine said making the limits 75 mph on interstates and 65 mph on four-lane roads would be acceptable. However, he thought the limit on two-lane roads should remain at 55 mph. Ballantine said he doesn’t anticipate a measurable increase in accident rates. “Most accidents are caused by a combination of factors, including alcohol,” he said. “Many accidents are actually caused by people driving slower than the flow of traffic. Problems occur when faster drivers start whipping back and forth to weave between cars.”

Both Jaeger and Ballantine said the proposed legislation would not impact in-town speed limits.

“Speed limits in town are set by ordinances, and I don’t foresee the Ames City Council raising their posted limits,” Jaeger said. “Students will be affected most when they travel home and back.”

Ballantine said the most promising aspect of the proposed legislation is that “the federal government is removing the blackmail,” he said, referring to past policies which hinted federal funds could be withheld from states that did not comply with national speed, helmet and seat belt laws. Although Ames police officers spend some time on Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 30, most of their patrols are on city streets. Ballantine added that speed limits in town aren’t likely to change. “They’re set where they need to be,” he said.

Preliminary bills allowing states to set their own speed limits have passed both the House and Senate.