Many drivers feel their stomachs sink when red and blue lights flash in their mirrors. No matter why someone pulls over, it’s typically never a fun experience. However, it can be even more frustrating to receive an expensive ticket. Since almost everything is more expensive regarding RVs, are speeding tickets more costly if you’re driving one? Let’s look and see!
Are Speeding Tickets More Expensive When Driving an RV?
An RV for recreational purposes is still a passenger vehicle. A driver speeding in their RV would typically face the same fines as someone in a standard passenger vehicle or truck. However, if the police officer determines that speeding in your RV was particularly dangerous, you may be charged with reckless driving.
Getting a ticket while driving an RV will mean less money in your bank account to spend on campsites and RV gear. Not to mention it can ruin your road trip, or land you in a court room.
While speeding tickets may not be more expensive when driving an RV, it’s essential to remember that a speeding ticket could cause an increase in your RV’s insurance premium if it goes on your record. So not only will you have to pay the fine, but you may have to pay more monthly.
How Fast Should You Go in an RV?
RVs can go pretty fast, but in general, they are slower than your normal passenger vehicle. We like to drive our RV between 60-65 mph on the interstate. Driving an RV too fast can be dangerous in terms of mechanical performance as well as stopping distance.
When driving an RV, there are several reasons you should never exceed 65 miles per hour. The first reason is fuel efficiency. In general, most vehicles reduce their fuel efficiency when they exceed 65 mph drastically. The faster you go, the worse your MPGs will be.
Another reason you should never drive faster than 65 mph is that trailer tires tend to have a lower speed rating than standard ones. Pushing your tires past their speed rating can heat them and break down the rubber compounds. The result is a tire failure or blowout, which can cause severe damage to an RV and potentially an accident. Tire blowout damage can be exponentially more costly than most speeding tickets.
Finally, it’s crucial to remember that some states have speed limits for tow vehicles. For example, California has a speed limit of 55 mph for those towing a trailer. Even on the interstate, where other vehicles are whizzing by at 75 to 85 mph, any vehicle towing a trailer must not exceed 55 mph.
How Fast Should You Drive While Towing a Camper?
While driving is a big responsibility, towing a trailer is an even greater one. While you can go 70 mph or more with a trailer, towing adds extra complexity, sway, decreased visibility, and a longer stopping distance. Especially in windy conditions, you should slow down while towing a camper.
While you should always obey the speed limit, it is best to consider driving a few miles per hour below it when towing a camper. While you’ll see some RVers exceeding the speed limit, RVers who value safety will refuse to exceed 65 mph when towing a trailer.
When towing, a driver must consider various factors, including their reaction to things and others on the road. An RV requires a considerable amount of stopping distance, which increases as the speed and weight of a vehicle rise. A speeding RVer may not have time to react or completely stop to avoid an accident or object on the road. Driving a few mph less can make a huge difference.
Also, towing a trailer, especially a bumper pull one, adds an additional motion called sway. Camper sway is when the trailer starts to swing side-to-side behind the tow vehicle, usually while you’re going down a highway. Trailer sway can become dangerous and uncontrollable if not managed. Driving too fast especially on wobbly roads or in high winds can increase the likelihood that sway will get out of control.
Pro Tip: Watch your speed while cruising through our guide on How to RV Across America: The Ultimate American Dream.
Can You Get a Ticket for Moving Around in an RV While Driving?
RV motorhomes are passenger vehicles, and they’re not exempt from seatbelt laws. Passengers must remain seated with a seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion. Failure to do so could result in the individual receiving a ticket.
If the person moving around is a minor, the driver receives the ticket for the infraction. Children should remain in their seats with safety belts fastened anytime the vehicle is in motion. It is the driver’s responsibility to confirm that all passengers are safe inside the vehicle.
What If You Get A Speeding Ticket In Another State?
Many RVers take their campers to other states. So what if you get pulled over outside your home state?
Your driver’s license lawfully allows you to drive in other states. Most states have agreements to report all traffic violations that happen out of state. If your home state is a part of these agreements, then any speeding ticket you receive out of your home state will be treated the same as if it had happened at home.
However, there are some states that do not participate in these agreements. All states except Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin are members of the Drivers License Compact, which shares all traffic convictions of out-of-state drivers to the home state. All states except Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin are members of the Nonresident Violator Compact, where home states will suspend your licenses if you fail to pay out-of-state fines or otherwise settle the ticket. [Source: Nolo.com]
What Type of Vehicle Gets the Most Speeding Tickets?
Sports cars receive the most speeding tickets of any other type of vehicle. Are you surprised by this? We aren’t. Their designers built them for speed, and they can quickly get away from drivers with a lead foot.
According to Insurify, sports cars make up half the top 10 vehicles that receive the most speeding tickets. Sports cars attract attention and tend to be more expensive. As a result, law enforcement may not be as lenient with a driver speeding in their sports car, especially if they’re driving excessively over the limit.
What Is the Least Pulled-Over Car?
Buick Encore drivers are like the youngest sibling in a family. They somehow avoid getting caught. According to Forbes, only 3% of the Buick Encore drivers reported receiving a ticket.
Law enforcement must be looking for speedy-looking sports cars that have earned a reputation for driving too fast. Therefore, they may look past the Buick Encore crossover as it goes by. However, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not the vehicle receiving the ticket but the driver.
The driver of the vehicle is ultimately in control. Sports car drivers tend to receive more tickets because the person driving them likes to go fast and take risks. However, the Buick Encore is a vehicle for parents and families, so even though the driver may enjoy speeding or taking a chance, they tend to think twice because of who is riding in their vehicle.
Pro Tip: Not all RV police run-ins are the same, so you should know Can Police Search My RV Without a Warrant?
Which States Have the Most Expensive Speeding Tickets?
Some states are stricter than others regarding their speeding tickets. However, it’s hard to beat Nevada. The state charges $20 for every mile per hour over the speed limit. Since most drivers drive five to 10 miles per hour over the limit, you could quickly receive a $200 to $300+ ticket.
However, many states have fines hitting the $200 or $300 mark. What separates Nevada is that its maximum penalty is $1,000. So while a driver would have to go 50 mph over the posted speed limit, a driver could receive a four-digit fine. In addition, the driver could spend up to six months in jail.
We recommend you watch your speed the next time you drive through Nevada!
Avoid a Speeding Ticket in Your RV
Experienced RVers know that doing anything fast in an RV is a recipe for disaster. Not only do you want to avoid getting an expensive speeding ticket, but you want to keep yourself, your passengers, and your RV safe. Speeding in an RV can be hazardous and lead to an accident. Do yourself and other drivers a favor and watch your speed when RVing. Stay out of the fast lane and let faster-moving traffic pass when possible.
Has law enforcement ever pulled you over for speeding? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
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