Arizona State Rep. Nick Kupper introduces RAPID Act

PHOENIX (KYMA) - Arizona State Rep. Nick Kupper announced he is introducing a legislation Monday.

According to a press release, HB2059, also known as the Reasonable and Prudent Interstate Driving (RAPID) Act, is a bill to "allow higher speeds on designated rural interstate segments while maintaining tough penalties for dangerous driving."

The press release says the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), under the RAPID Act, can authorize derestricted speed zones for non-commercial vehicles, like cars, SUVs and pickup trucks, during the daylight hours on qualified rural interstates.

During the nighttime hours, the maximum speed limit would be 80 mph, but existing "reasonable and prudent" standards will remain in effect, and "the bill increases civil penalties for misuse of the zones."

"Most drivers can tell the difference between a crowded city freeway and a wide-open stretch of rural interstate," said Rep. Kupper. "The RAPID Act accounts for that difference. It will let us raise speeds where it's safe, keep tough penalties for reckless driving, and update our laws to reflect how people actually use these roads."

The press release says Kupper cited Montana's previous "reasonable and prudent" system when crafting the bill.

"Montana showed that you can modernize speed laws without sacrificing safety," he added. "When rules are clear and focused on driver behavior, states can let safe highways operate as they were designed to operate. Arizona should benefit from those lessons instead of sticking with limits that don't reflect reality."

To learn more about the bill, click here.