Driving slower than the flow of traffic, also known as driving below the speed limit, can be dangerous. It tends to increase the risk of accidents, cause traffic backups, and frustrate other drivers. Understanding why driving slower than other vehicles can be hazardous and what the safest approach is will help drivers stay safe on the road.
Why Is Driving Slower Than Other Traffic Dangerous?
There are a few key reasons why driving under the speed limit can increase accidents and be unsafe:
It Creates Speed Differentials
When some cars are driving significantly slower than others around them, it creates large differences in speed between vehicles. Speed differential or variance is one of the biggest predictors of accident severity. According to studies, when speed variance increases by 10 mph, the collision rate doubles. Large gaps in travel speed make it hard for drivers to react in time.
Drivers Aren’t Expecting Slower Cars
Most drivers expect that traffic will be moving at roughly the same general pace. When one car is going much slower, others may make unsafe moves to get around them or may not be able to react in time to a sudden speed decrease. This raises the risks of crashes due to limitations in sight distance.
It Causes Traffic Congestion
When one car is holding up the flow, it forces other cars to slow down. This creates bottlenecks and traffic backups as vehicles stack up behind the slower driver. Congestion raises the potential for rear-end collisions and frayed nerves among drivers.
It Aggravates Other Drivers
Having to suddenly brake or swerve because of a slower car leads to road rage in some cases. Angry drivers are more prone to making foolish moves like illegally passing, tailgating, or gesturing at the slow driver. All of these reactions raise the risks of a crash occurring.
What Are the Dangers of Tailgating a Slow Driver?
One of the most hazardous things other drivers may do in response to a slow vehicle is tailgate them. This raises the chances of rear-end collisions. Some key dangers of tailgating slower drivers include:
Reduced Stopping Distance
The closer you drive behind another vehicle, the less time you have to react and brake if they make an abrupt move. This may not leave enough room to prevent rear-ending them.
Obstructed Vision
Driving right on the tail of another car reduces your sight lines. You may not be able to see hazards ahead or any sudden stops by the other driver in time to prevent a collision.
Fatigue and Errors
Staring at the same tail lights and closely following a slow driver can cause fatigue. This results in delayed reaction times and impaired attention, raising the odds of driver errors and crashes.
Aggressive Maneuvers
Tailgating may tempt the driver being followed to tap their brakes or swerve to discourage the tailgater. These maneuvers could cause loss of control crashes. It also may provoke the tailgater into making risky passes or actions.
What Are Some Tips for Dealing With a Tailgater?
When another vehicle is dangerously following your tail, here are some tips for reducing the risks:
Avoid Sudden Braking
Don’t tap your brakes or slow down quickly to send a message to the tailgater, as this could result in them rear-ending you. Keep smooth braking motions.
Don’t Speed Up
Increasing your speed to distance yourself from a tailgater will just encourage them to speed more and continue the risky behavior.
Increase the Space Cushion
Slowly create more space between you and the car ahead so you can brake gradually if needed to avoid hitting that vehicle while reducing the tailgater’s risks.
Signal Early When Changing Lanes
Use your turn signal well in advance so the tailgater has time to react before you change lanes. Avoid any sudden movements.
Avoid Retaliating
Never take actions meant to scare or retaliate against the tailgater, like flashing lights or braking checks. This will only escalate the situation.
What Are the Dangers of Exceeding the Average Speed?
While driving below the general traffic speed is hazardous, speeding above the flow of traffic also poses safety risks:
Increased Stopping Distances
The faster your vehicle is traveling, the more time and distance it takes to stop. At higher speeds you may not be able to avoid rear-ending slower moving cars ahead.
Heightened Severity of Crashes
Excessive speeds dramatically increase the forces involved in collisions, leading to more injury and vehicle damage. Crashes are also more likely to be fatal.
Limited Reaction Time
Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react to unexpected situations like sudden stops, pedestrians entering the roadway, or obstacles in the road. This can turn minor situations into major collisions.
Reduced Control and Stability
The faster you drive the more difficult the vehicle is to control and keep stable. Loss of control is more likely at high speeds, especially during abrupt maneuvers.
Riskier Passing
Passing other vehicles is more dangerous at high speeds. You have less time to complete the maneuver and accelerate back into the proper lane, increasing sideswipe and head-on risks.
What Are Some Tips for Matching Your Speed to Traffic Flow?
The safest approach is to match the general speed of traffic as closely as possible, without exceeding safe speeds. Some tips for blending your speed include:
Observe the Flow
Pay attention to what speed most cars are traveling as you’re entering and driving on the highway. Blend into their speed when you can safely do so.
Use the Left Lanes for Passing Only
The left lane should only be used for passing. Avoid cruising in the left lane. Only pass when safe and stay at those speeds briefly.
Don’t Drive Distracted
Focus your full attention on the roadway so you can judge speeds appropriately and react to changing conditions. Don’t use your phone or engage in other distracting activities.
Keep a Safe Following Distance
Match the speed of the car ahead while maintaining enough distance to brake gradually. Use the 3-second rule or more as speeds increase.
Accelerate and Decelerate Smoothly
Make smooth motions when increasing speed to blend into traffic flow or decreasing speed to leave traffic. Avoid rapid acceleration or braking.
What Are Some Situations When Driving Slower May Be Warranted?
While in most cases it’s safest to stay with the general flow, there are some situations where driving under the speed limit may be warranted:
Poor Weather Conditions
During heavy rain, snow, fog, or other hazardous weather, visibility is reduced and roads are more slippery. Slowing down can improve safety.
Entering/Exiting Highways
When merging onto or off of highways, reducing speed below the limit can allow you to find safe gaps and transition smoothly.
Unfamiliar Roads
If you are driving on a new or unfamiliar road, slowing down slightly can give you more time to react to new situations.
Construction Zones
Areas with construction often have reduced speed limits that require slowing down to protect road workers. Obey posted limits.
Heavy Traffic
During congested periods where traffic flow is very slow, matching those reduced speeds can improve safety and reduce risks.
Vehicle Trouble
If you experience any mechanical issues with your car, reducing speed will allow you to transition to a safe stopping point.
What Are Some Consequences of Habitually Driving Too Slow?
Consistently driving well under speed limits and impeding traffic flow can have consequences:
Increased Risk of Collisions
As discussed earlier, the greatest danger is increased rear-end and sideswipe crash risks from speed differentials.
Traffic Citations
Police may issue citations to extremely slow drivers for failure to keep up with traffic flow or impeding traffic.
Driver Harassment
Extremely frustrated drivers may take aggressive actions like tailgating, flashing lights, or yelling to express anger at a slow driver.
Road Rage Encounters
In some cases, road rage escalates to violent encounters. While never appropriate, extremely slow driving can provoke rage in some drivers.
Poorer Vehicle Fuel Economy
Driving well below optimal speeds for too long can reduce fuel efficiency and waste gas. Lugging the engine can also cause repairs.
What Are Some Tips for Drivers Who Tend to Drive Slowly?
For those who prefer driving under speed limits, some tips to improve safety are:
Use Right Lanes
Drive in the rightmost lanes whenever possible. Only use left lanes briefly for passing maneuvers.
Set a Minimum Speed
Determine the absolute slowest speed you are comfortable driving on highways and stay at or above it.
Manage Anxiety
If anxiety about speeding contributes to slower driving, consider therapy to overcome driving-related anxiety.
Allow Passing
Frequently check mirrors and allow vehicles to pass safely when possible. Wave drivers by if needed.
Avoid High-Speed Roads
When possible, opt for routes with lower speed limits that align better with your comfortable pace.
Communicate With Other Drivers
Use signals and brake lights to indicate maneuvers well in advance so other drivers aren’t surprised.
Conclusion
Driving significantly slower than general traffic flow poses safety hazards but exceeding average speeds is also risky. The safest approach is to determine the prevailing speed based on flow, weather, and road conditions and try to blend in while avoiding excessive speeds. Drivers should allow safe passing when possible and use communication techniques to avoid surprising other motorists. While impeding traffic should be avoided, it’s also wise to reduce speed when conditions warrant slower driving. Understanding the balance between driving slowly and dangerously speeding will help motorists make the smartest choices. Safe driving requires cooperation between all drivers.