blog home Car Accidents Is it dangerous to drive too slowly?

Is it dangerous to drive too slowly?

By Ken Gibson on June 22, 2022

Is it dangerous to drive too slowly? This may seem like a silly question, but it’s actually a serious issue. And the answer is “yes.” Slow drivers can create a hazard by forcing other drivers to make sudden decisions that can lead to an accident.

If you are driving more slowly than the flow of traffic, try to stay in the right lane. This will prevent other drivers from becoming annoyed and improve overall safety on highways in several ways.

How do slow drivers create a hazard?

When a driver approaches another car traveling well below the speed limit, the driver may have to choose among swerving, slamming on the brakes, or making a sudden lane change. All three of these reactions can cause a collision.

It’s not only dangerous to drive too slowly; it’s also a traffic violation. Virginia law states:

“No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.”

One slow driver can cause several cars to become bunched up behind it. This disrupts the smooth flow of traffic, preventing other drivers from traveling at a consistent speed, which then allows them to maintain a safe distance between cars.

Left lanes are for passing. That’s why slower drivers are expected to drive in the right lane. When a slow driver remains in the passing lane, it creates a dangerous situation, because other drivers may speed up and attempt to pass on the right side.

Watch out for slow drivers

Slow driving is often a sign that someone isn’t paying attention. Be careful around cars moving too slowly because their drivers may be distracted. Distracted driving is a serious problem that causes more than 3,000 traffic fatalities a year, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

A slow driver could be texting, looking at a GPS, or searching for the address of a business or residence. Another type of dangerous slow driver is a “rubbernecker” — someone who slows down to witness an accident or another event along the highway.

Aging drivers with poor vision and other physical limitations may be extremely cautious, and this may cause them to drive slowly. Stay alert around these drivers because they may have slower reaction times, and they may slow down even more when turning or merging into another lane.

Times when you should drive more slowly

Sometimes, it is a good idea to slow down when driving. Dangerous road conditions call for reduced speed. Slowing down can make it easier for you to respond if you have to stop suddenly or swerve to avoid a hazard.

Situations when you should slow down while driving include:

  • Icy roads and rainy, snowy, or foggy weather
  • When approaching railroad tracks
  • When animals are present
  • Near school busses or crossing zones
  • When an obstacle is in the road

Were you injured by a careless driver?

If you were injured due to another person’s careless behavior, you should not have to pay your medical expenses and other accident-related costs. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we consider it a calling to help accident victims get compensation to cover the costs of their medical care and more.

Call us at (804) 413-6777 today to schedule a FREE consultation. We’ll tell you about our Zero Fee Guarantee: meaning we get paid when you get paid. And we’ll discuss all of your best options with you, with no obligation. Let us put our decades of experience helping people who were injured in wrecks to work for you.

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Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches a “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
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    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
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    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.