Fast drivers may soon face harsher punishment under proposed bills making their way through the Iowa Legislature.
Several bills would increase excessive speeding penalties, including House File 2023 and Senate File 2030, which both passed through committee on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Super speeders — drivers who are caught going 100 mph or more — would face fines of $285 or more, and possible license revocation.
Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, has been lobbying for bills that would increase speeding penalties for years, often called super-speeder bills, and made it a top legislative priority this year in an effort to make Iowa’s roads safer.
Washington passed its own version of a super-speeder bill that requires a speed-inhibiting device to prevent habitual speeders from reaching dangerous speeds. Georgia, Florida and Virginia also have super-speeder laws in place. Several other states are eyeing similar legislation.
Iowa’s version of a super-speeder law wouldn’t include a speed-inhibiting device, but Hoffman said it’s still an important step to make Iowa’s streets safer.
“It’s such a new concept, and we’re on the front end of adoption,” Hoffman told the Register, noting that Iowa’s law would only address enhanced penalties. “I’d rather have something done now than nothing done at all.”
Last year, Iowa lawmakers passed a hands-free driving law that prohibits drivers from using phones other than in hands-free or voice-activated mode, another one of Hoffman’s top priorities that made Iowa the 31st state to implement such a law.
It has since resulted in a decrease in traffic-related deaths, the Register reported earlier this year.
Senate File 2030 sponsor Sen. Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, said he hopes to make Iowa’s roads safer by more harshly penalizing speeders. Lofgren also sponsored Iowa’s hands-free driving law.
“There is no good reason for anyone to be driving over 100 mph in a non-emergency situation on our Iowa roads,” Lofgren said. “We have to believe that these situations most likely involve substance use, reckless driving, or other criminal activity.”
Rep. Joshua Meggers, R-Grundy Center, who sponsored other speeding-related bills, did not respond to requests for comment.
Hoffman said he hopes the Iowa Legislature will consider adding speed-inhibiting devices and technology in future years.
“We would love to see the speed inhibitor in here, but I don’t consider it a litmus test to whether or not a bill is a super-speeders bill,” Hoffman said. “I think that’s gonna be on the table in future sessions.”
What is ‘excessive speeding’? What would the penalties be?
Excessive speeding is already a simple misdemeanor in Iowa, categorized as reckless driving when going 25 mph faster than the posted speed limit or going 100 mph or faster. Penalties would be heightened if the proposed bills become law.
Under House File 2023, a driver found to be driving more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit would be fined $285 plus $5 for each mile over 20 mph above the posted speed limit.
Under Senate File 2030, a driver would face the same penalties for going 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit, according to an amendment to the bill. It also would revoke the driver’s license for up to 90 days if they are caught going 100 mph or more.
If such driving results in injury, Senate File 2030 would include a $500 fee and/or the suspension of the driver’s license for up to 90 days. If it results in death, Senate File 2030 would include a $1,000 fee and/or the suspension of the driver’s license for up to 180 days.
Hundreds of drivers in Iowa meet the 100 mph mark of “excessive speeding,” according to Iowa State Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Alex Dinkla.
In 2025, 947 drivers were caught going 100 mph or faster, including one reaching 151 mph, according to data provided by the Iowa State Patrol. There were over 1,000 drivers who made that mark in 2024.
Second House bill would allow car impoundment and immediate license suspension
Under House File 2176, an officer who detects a driver going 100 mph or more can impound the vehicle and suspend the driver’s license.
If given a citation, drivers who were found to exceed 100 mph would not be able to plead to a reduced speed charge and would be fined $500 plus $5 for each mile over 20 mph above the posted speed limit.
House File 2176 is scheduled for a House Public Safety Committee vote on Wednesday, Feb. 11. A subcommittee recommended passage earlier this month.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa considers higher fines for ‘super speeders’ driving over 100 mph
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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