Analysis of the Impact of Increased Speed Limit on Interstates and on Highways in Louisiana

A law was passed in mid-year 1997, raising the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 70 MPH.  Therefore, 1996 and 1998 were compared.  Dependent variables were fatality count, and injury severity.  Factors controlled were for road type, speed limit, vehicle type, time of day, weather and gender.  Fatal crashes increased by 37% on interstates while fatal crashes in Louisiana as a whole increased by less that 1% during the same period.  Fatal crashes on rural interstates increased by 2 crashes per month after the speed limits were raised in August, 1997.  8.5" x11", two color, 30 pages.