The Reasonable and Prudent Interstate Driving (RAPID) Act would let the Arizona Department of Transportation designate certain stretches of highway as “derestricted” during daylight hours.
The bill says that no maximum speed limit would be posted for passenger vehicles during the day. At night, there would be a cap on speed along with other caveats. You can read House Bill 2059 here.
Targeted area
The draft bill targets rural interstates outside urbanized areas and communities with populations of under 50,000 people. A road would only qualify if it met strict design and safety criteria, like low crash rates and good infrastructure.
The proposal specifically talks about testing a stretch of Interstate 8 as a pilot. It keeps commercial vehicles (big rigs, buses) under existing limits and would switch to an 80-mph cap after dark. So, put away your Andretti cap because not every stretch of two-lane road is up for grabs. But keep the Andretti cap handy, because some long, straight stretches of desert freeway might just qualify.
Rationale
RAPID Act proponents point to an old Montana experiment where drivers used personal judgment instead of obeying a one-size-fits-all number. They argue that “reasonable and prudent” driving can produce more uniform speeds. They hope this leads to fewer slow versus fast speeds that lead to extreme crashes. Sponsors also say modern road engineering and better cars make speed limits less necessary on certain well-built stretches of road.
If you’re an RV owner, the RAPID Act may appeal to you, at least in theory. The act could mean fewer arbitrary slowdowns, quicker crossing of long, quiet highway segments, and less time stuck in slow traffic when the road is essentially empty.
Pushback
Safety groups and many traffic experts push back against the RAPID Act proposal. They cite data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and other studies that show raising speed limits, even by a few miles per hour, is associated with a noticeable uptick in fatalities.
One IIHS analysis of decades of speed-limit changes estimated that increases across states were tied to thousands of additional deaths. The institute’s media director has warned policymakers about that trade-off.
For RVers, passage of the bill means faster cars passing you at higher speeds. This could increase risk at merges and lane changes, and crash outcomes at higher closing speeds could very quickly worsen.
The Montana example?
Decades ago (1990s and early 2000s), Montana temporarily relied on a “reasonable and prudent” standard. Some short-term analyses showed mixed outcomes, and later legal and legislative moves put speed limits back in place.
Transportation audits and academic reviews have noted improvements in some metrics and declines in others, so you can’t point to Montana as clear proof either way.
Lawmakers in Arizona, pointing to Montana, are using a complicated historical case. The safety outcome of policy changes relies on enforcement, road design, and driver type.
Wallet and comfort hits
Higher speeds usually mean worse fuel economy for RVers. This isn’t a trivial consideration when you’re driving a Class A or towing. The U.S. Department of Energy and fuel-economy resources show that most vehicles drop efficiency rapidly above about 50 mph, and the higher you go, the more fuel per mile you burn. That’s multiplied for heavy, boxy RVs and trailers. Faster average speeds might shave travel time on long runs, but they’ll likely raise fuel costs and increase wear on RV brakes and tires.
RVers should also check their insurance policy. Insurers sometimes adjust rates when risk profiles change in a region, and rising crash statistics can translate into premium pressure down the road.
Practical implications
If approved, the RAPID Act would not immediately make Arizona’s highways chaotic. However, it could create daylight stretches where passenger cars may legally travel without a posted top speed.
If the bill becomes law, pick your speeds based on your machine’s limits and your comfort, not the car beside you. Your RV, your wallet, and your passengers will thank you.
A pilot
The RAPID Act comes from Rep. Nick Kupper and is being pitched as a pilot program that starts small and expands only where engineering and safety data support it. It is written as a pilot and will go through committee and floor debate, public hearings, and input from safety groups and insurer researchers.
Do you think the proposed bill will eventually pass and become law? In your opinion, is this a good idea? Weigh in using the comments below.
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RVT1245b
They should never have a highway anywhere without speed limits in this day and time. Too many crazy drivers out there now,
Monumentally stupid. How can it possibly result in “more uniform speeds”, when you’re increasing the allowable top speed, knowing full well that there will be some drivers doing 90+ while others – like RVers – aren’t going to increase their speed? There are bound to be some horrific crashes and lives will be lost.
“If you’re an RV owner, the RAPID Act may appeal to you…The act could mean fewer arbitrary slowdowns, quicker crossing of long, quiet highway segments, and less time stuck in slow traffic when the road is essentially empty.”
I’ve never been on an empty freeway yet that had slow traffic. Also, with most all Interstates posting 70mph+, RVers are already approaching or exceeding tire speed limitations, so how many RVers would go faster?
Funny how people scream about the cost of fuel, then burn more than they need to.
Agree! Towing a car on good road when conditions permit, I like to cruise at about 57 mph even where the limit exceeds 65 mph.
As an RV’er, the RAPID Act scares the heck out of me. Our maximum speed is 63 on the Interstate and 53 on two lane roads. I can only imagine the road rage in those that I slow down. I sure hope it doesn’t get enacted on the roads I travel.
I almost never drive our RV, 26′ Class C over 65. Maybe just a bit if needed in a passing situation. And now I tow a 10′ aluminum trailer with my trike on it, so that also means no high speeds.
According to UDOT, disparities in speed are the cause of accidents. But we have Montana as an example, so I’m guessing they can’t learn. Passing is a serious problem. When a vehicle behind you is going 220 ft/sec. Or 150 mph. That’s over a mile- 6,600 ft. in 30 seconds.
Here in FL you already have the right to “buy into” a faster speed- you pay additional $$ and get the right to drive n the HOV/Passing lanes, even solo Speeds there routinely approach 100 mph and only get pulled over if REALLY careless When pulling around somebody driving carelessly even at 85 mph in a 70 mph zone (NOT towing) I’ve been the cause of horn serenades. Of course I’m Scottish so I tend to drive 50-55 mph as that is where MPG is best
In our area, most of the “HOV Lanes” like along the Vet near Tampa, are only one lane. I won’t use them. B/C if someone breaks down or it’s an accident, you’re completely stuck. In the regular lanes, at least you can usually go around slowly. But FL is weird. On one hand, they rant and rave about people need to not exceed the speed limit. But then their increased emphasis on so-called “slow drivers and the left lane” are really thinly veiled laws to make it easier for big time speeders to let it loose. Because often, the “slo-pokes” in the left lane, are still doing 5 or even 10 mph above the actual speed limit. And Mr. I Gotta Drive 90 is the one turning red with rage.
This will turn I-8 into a speedway playground for rich kids with super cars. Think Bugatti Veyron with a top speed of 254 MPH
Or just dumb kids with old muscle cars with bad brakes and suspensions. What could go wrong?
And they would get pulled over and ticketed as that is not “Reasonable and Prudent”.
You still could get a ticket in Montana if you were going too fast for the conditions.
This is such a bad idea. I can see another reason for insurance companies to charge more money? What happens if you get in an accident on one of theses roads? Insurance will say, sorry you were going too fast.
For me personally, I’d love it. I’m a skilled and careful driver, and very familiar with the demands of high speeds. But for everyman, including unskilled and risk-taking teenagers? That’s pretty scary. The vast majority of people simply don’t comprehend how quickly the world changes at 100+mph.
And then there are the folks who are NOT going fast. Someone doing 60mph, being passed by someone doing 120mph… do the arithmetic. People have no training or experience in that kind of driving.
So, while I would enjoy it personally, and treat the privilege carefully, I think I have to oppose the idea.
I drive a diesel pusher and I drive on the freeways about 58mph as I get the best gas milage at that speed. If Arizona goes with no limits on certain roads, that is scary.
Stupidest idea yet. We in our truck camper will not go faster than 68. Some people going 100+ mph will zoom around us probably not looking what’s ahead. I remember Nevada had speed limits,”reasonable and prudent”. Now it’s 80 max. Here in Arizona we have the worst drivers. Giving people especially men, carte blanche speed will result in horrible accidents. These accidents will drive up our insurance rates not to mention very long traffic delays.
This sounds a little scary to me. I live in an area where freeway speed limits are 80mph and of course everyone goes 90mph. It’s too fast in my opinion and dangerous. You might survive a 65-70 mph crash, but odds are not an 80-90 mph crash.
Horrible idea. I can see the deadly accidents happening! People are too crazy out there.
Having driven on roads with no limit in Italy, I would say it depends on the culture. In Italy, people going less than about 60 on the Autostrada drive on the shoulder, and the worst sin imaginable is to stay in the passing lane with a faster car behind you. That means keeping a sharp watch on your rear-view mirror when passing and not passing when you can’t do it quickly.
I owned two corvettes and I paid a lot more money to get tires designed for 120 MPH. My travel trailer tires say top speed 70MPH. Speed kills
For those who have traveled I-8 or I-10 through Arizona already know speeds are high. Example: During my last trip to Tucson my F250 truck was rolling with the flow of traffic. Approaching a slower car, turned on the blinker, and tried accelerating.
First I thought there was something wrong with the truck, as she did not accelerate. It was then I realized the speedometer indicated 100. This is the trucks computer limited top speed. So yes, Arizona interstate speeds are high.
In Texas, we seem to have several toll roads without speed limits, the problem is you need one unlimited speed lane, next to two set speed lanes. What happens when your RV is rear ended by someone driving 160 or higher? All accidents will be fatalities.
There are no roads in Texas without speed limits. Pay attention.
not sure why everyone here is whining. Most cars (and even some 18-wheelers) are already going way over the speed limit (75 limit in New Mexico and you can pretty much tell they are pretty much over 90), so raising is not really going to change anything, just legalize what is going on. (I usually going 65-70 with my trailer, so it will not impact me). Driving through Arizona, I am passed already like I am standing still. Although Arizona needs to fix the roads in a lot of locations to make it really safer.
The speed limits article brought back this memory from about 1965:
While in the RCMP, I stopped a speeding vehicle. Asking the driver for his license, etc., a glance inside the vehicle showed his wife was furious, as she jabbed the papers from the glovebox into his forearm. Their 2 sons in the rear seat, about 5 & 6 years old, peered at me over their father’s left shoulder. Telling the driver he was 15 mph over the limit, the older boy announced, “See, Dad—Mom told you to slow down because you were going too fast!” I had to struggle to keep from laughing. Returning his papers, I sent him on his way, certain his wife’s lecture would far exceed the penalty of a ticket.
We all think we are better or more capable drivers in all situations at any speed. So what fallacy is in this statement?
How could anyone think this is a good idea. Pulling a travel trailer on a highway with a 75 MPH speed limit means most people are going 80 or 85 while I’m doing less than 60, that’s scary enough. I don’t want to be on a road where someone may be doing 100 or more……Just a bad idea!
Terrible drivers in Arizona and they wanna do what? Lived there shy of 9 years and had many, many close calls, rules of the road don’t exist
Great comments to this article. I am, however, compelled to ask, hasn’t anyone ever driven the Autobahn/Autostradas in Europe? They manage it quite well. No left lane campers, less road rage, MUCH better roadways. I’m not armed with accident statistics, but having lived overseas for a number of years, a lasting impression was that *when* there was a crash, it was almost always a fatality. But European drivers have far superior driving skills than the majority of Americans. My $0.02, fwiw.
I don’t know about the speed limits but your silksilky ad sure is racy.
Good morning, David. A lot of the ads are auto-inserted, i.e., we don’t have anything to do with them. If you find something offensive, if you could send the URL to editor@rvtravel.com, we can possibly block it. Thanks. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Diane, The ad is not offensive to me. I was just trying to make a fun pun on the article when I should probably know better LOL. You have a nice day too. THX
Thanks for the explanation, David. I’m glad to hear you weren’t offended, but I wanted to explain the situation in case you were. Occasionally some offensive ads pop up (not that we put in) and if we don’t see them ourselves, we can’t do anything about them. Take care. 😀 –Diane