Des Moines personal injury attorney warns crashes may get more severe.
DES MOINES, US — September 10, 2026 — As of July 1, 2026, Iowa’s default speed limit on two-lane highways rose from 55 to 60 miles per hour under Senate File 378, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. Des Moines personal injury attorney Ward A. (Sam) Rouse says the change, popular with many rural drivers, raises real questions about crash severity that Iowans should understand before they end up in an accident.
A Change Rural Iowa Asked For, Over Safety Objections
Lawmakers passed SF 378 after years of requests from rural constituents, clearing the Iowa House 76-16. But the bill wasn’t without opposition: the State Police Officers Council formally opposed it, citing higher rates of serious injury and death at increased speeds, and one state representative estimated the change could cause roughly six additional traffic deaths per year in Iowa. That concern lines up with independent research: a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found a 5 mph limit increase is associated with an 8.5 percent rise in highway fatality rates, and a 2.8 percent increase on other roads. Supporters of the bill, including House Speaker Pat Grassley, argued that modern vehicle safety features have made the change reasonable for rural Iowa drivers.
“A 5 mph increase doesn’t sound like much until you’re the one calculating stopping distance and impact force after a crash,” said car accident lawyer Sam Rouse, founder of Rouse Law, P.C. “The physics don’t care how popular a law is. Higher speeds mean less time to react and harder impacts when something goes wrong.”
What Stays the Same
The new law only affects two-lane highways; interstate limits remain 70 mph, and the 25 mph limit in residential and school zones is untouched. Iowa also kept a leniency provision: a driver’s first two citations within a 12-month period for going up to 5 mph over the new 60 mph limit on a two-lane highway will not affect their driving record or insurance rates.
What to Do After a Crash on a Higher-Speed Highway
Des Moines car accident attorney Sam Rouse said the practical impact is that evidence preservation matters more than before. Higher-speed collisions often produce more severe injuries, higher medical costs, and more contested liability disputes, with adjusters looking to minimize payouts before the full extent of an injury is even known. He recommends documenting the scene with photos, obtaining the police report, seeking prompt medical evaluation, and consulting an injury lawyer before giving a recorded statement to an insurer.
Rouse Law, P.C. represents injured clients throughout Des Moines, West Des Moines, and across Iowa in car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, and wrongful death cases, and charges no fees unless the firm secures a settlement or verdict on the client’s behalf.
About Rouse Law, P.C.
Rouse Law, P.C. is a West Des Moines, Iowa law firm founded by Des Moines personal injury lawyer Ward A. (Sam) Rouse in the mid-1990s. Sam Rouse is rated by Super Lawyers and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating an attorney can receive, reserved for those recognized by fellow lawyers for the highest level of legal ability and ethical standards. The firm represents clients throughout the Des Moines area in personal injury cases, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and dog bites. Rouse Law, P.C. offers free consultations and charges no fees unless it secures a settlement or verdict.
Media Contact:
Name: Sam Rouse
Company: Rouse Law, P.C.
Email: wardrouse@rouselaw.us
Phone: (515) 223-9000
Address: 4940 Pleasant St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Website: https://rouselaw.us/